Kerman police warn Senior Assassin game could spark safety concerns

A water-gun game popular with seniors is drawing police scrutiny in Kerman as officers warn that odd-hour chases, wet students and mock weapons can quickly look like something far more dangerous.

Kerman police said they know students at Kerman High School are taking part in Senior Assassin, also called Water Wars, a springtime contest in which seniors work in pairs as assassins and targets and try to eliminate assigned classmates with water guns. Officer Jaclynn Castro, the school resource officer, said the department is aware the game is happening in the community, but officers are worried it can escalate if students are running around late at night, appear soaked, or carry items that could be mistaken for real weapons.

So far, police said they have received one call tied to the game. That incident turned out to be a misunderstanding between a parent and a student involved in the competition, but officers said the episode showed how quickly a harmless-looking scene can become a real safety issue if neighbors or responding officers do not know what is going on.

Kerman High School addressed the matter in an April 21 Facebook post, telling families the Senior Assassin game being organized by students was not school-sponsored or school-approved. The school told families to direct concerns to the Kerman Police Department. The warning comes as the senior class moves toward graduation, with Kerman High School’s Class of 2026 scheduled to graduate Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at KHS Football Stadium.

The concerns in Kerman reflect a broader problem across the country. ABC News reported April 17, 2026, that police departments nationwide were warning about Senior Assassin after incidents involving water guns and mock weapons. In Indiana, the game was tied to a felony intimidation charge. In Michigan, an officer nearly shot a student who appeared to be carrying a water gun.

Kerman High School’s student body gives the issue local weight. The California Department of Education listed enrollment at 1,509 for the 2025-26 school year, including 191 English learners. With graduation season approaching and senior traditions under way, police and school officials are pressing the same point: a game built around water guns can still trigger emergency calls, neighborhood alarm and dangerous split-second decisions.