Spaulding students use water guns in game around community

ROCHESTER — The public is being advised as a precaution, but not to panic: Seniors at Spaulding High School are running around the community using water guns in a game known as "senior assassin."

The game has popped up locally and nationally for years and involves teams of students "eliminating" the competition by squirting them with water guns. A student who gets wet is out of the game.

There are rules for the tournament-style game, and a big one is the game forbids any action on school grounds or in classrooms. Students seek common gathering places, like parks, their homes, yards, and other gathering spots.

One parent whose child is playing said it's nothing to worry about.

"It's water guns," she said.

Rochester police and school officials are aware of the game.

"The high school principal has reported that this activity is not supported by the school," said Superintendent Kyle Repucci.

Rochester police Capt. Todd Pinkham said he was made aware of the game on Monday.

"It is something students have done for the past couple of years (maybe more) as far as I am aware," said Pinkham. "My understanding is there are certain rules in place by the students, what those are, I am not sure, but they are supposed to help prevent unnecessary issues/dangers. With that being said, we will continue to respond to any suspicious behavior that gets called into us and continue to treat those types of calls as we normally do. All of our officers are aware of this game and have been advised to handle any types of calls that may be related to this like they normally would, regardless of the game."

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The game has not appeared in Somersworth yet.

Capt. Matthew Duval said, "We have not had any instances in the recent past that I can recall, but all our officers are aware of these types of activities and will continue to respond to any calls of this nature if warranted."

The game has not yet shown up at Dover High School.

"Lieutenant (Mark) Nadeau sent along your request for info on the senior 'assassins' game," said Captain Brad Gould. "Our school resource officers are aware of it and have discussed it with school officials in the event it becomes an issue, but we have not had any incidents at Dover High School, and this has not generated calls for service off campus."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Spaulding students use water guns in game around community