Police warn high school 'Assassins' game in Old Lyme a 'dangerous activity'

Apr. 24—OLD LYME — As members of law enforcement sound the alarm on a popular high school tradition, students and parents at Lyme-Old Lyme High School are hopeful the game known as Assassins will go on as planned.

High school students across the country are embarking on the annual rite of passage that has members of the senior class hunting down assigned targets with water guns ― sometimes in teams and sometimes individually, depending on the school ― until only one is left dry.

Senior Ava Roth's brother, Alex, and his teammate split the $800 winner's pot two years ago.

Now it's Ava's turn to pay the $10 entrance fee for her own chance at victory.

"I just think it's a fun, innocent game for the seniors to play and I really hope we can keep it going," she said. "It's been happening for so long. It's a huge senior tradition."

The student-run game is not affiliated with the school.

Old Lyme Resident State Trooper Matt Weber, who oversees the Old Lyme Police Department, is among those worried that kids lying in wait with water guns could be a "dangerous activity."

He referred to multiple 911 calls fielded last week by the Connecticut State Police from frightened homeowners in Haddam after high school seniors from that town came looking for targets at the wrong address.

"I just see the potential for a really serious mistake occurring with this activity," Weber said. "You go to one wrong house and it could turn out very badly for two children."

In Gurnee, Ill., the local police department on Facebook said a game of Senior Assassins could have escalated quickly when a restaurant patron carrying a concealed gun mistook a group of masked students with water guns for a genuine threat.

"The gravity of the situation cannot be emphasized enough; it had the potential to lead to serious consequences," the department wrote.

The Assassins rule book varies from year to year and school to school. At Lyme-Old Lyme High School, guidelines shared on social media from past classes show assassination attempts are forbidden on school property, at school events, religious buildings, the targets' places of work or inside their homes.

This year's rules specified trespassing on private property is illegal and off limits.

Ava on Tuesday said the game, which was supposed to start Monday, had been paused. That's because the Instagram group set up by organizers to keep students updated on the game in real time was taken down, as was the one the organizers replaced it with. They don't know who or how many people reported it. Now, they're scrambling to find an alternate way to conduct the game online.

She suggested police should let people in town know the game will be happening so they're not surprised when they see kids with water guns.

Ava said she and her teammate have purchased matching water guns, two smaller ones to travel with them, and one high-powered model for long distances.

She's already warned her household not to let anyone in for the duration of the game. She's also claiming a coveted space in the garage because getting in and out of the car in the driveway opens her up to possible attack.

Her mother, Mary Roth, is fine with that, even if it means running out to Big Y herself to pick up milk because her daughter can't take the risk.

"It's just something fun for them to do their senior year," Mary Roth said. "It's just like a tradition. And I think they should continue the traditions."

Letting them be kids

Weber last week put out a warning to school district officials asking them to make sure families were aware of the risks. His message was conveyed to students and parents last week by Lyme-Old Lyme High School Principal James Wygonik, who directed anyone with questions to state police.

Superintendent of Schools Ian Neviaser this week didn't have much to add other than to reiterate the game is not sponsored by the school.

"We support Troop F's position and ensuring everybody's safe," he said.

Weber said enforcement action, such as trespassing and breach of peace charges, could result if students end up where they shouldn't be.

The resident state trooper pointed to heightened vigilance regarding car break-ins and thefts reportedly being carried out by young people as residents are advised to report anything suspicious to police.

"People could also mistakenly think these kids are looking to steal their vehicles," he said.

Concerns about the game were conveyed Sunday on the Simsbury Police Facebook page.

"While students use brightly colored toy water guns, there have been instances of poor judgment where water guns resembling real firearms have been used," the department said.

Simsbury police advised students to avoid speeding or engaging in chases, obstructing traffic, wearing dark or camouflaged clothing or disrupting uninvolved people. And they should only use guns that are clearly toys.

Ava Roth said student organizers at Lyme-Old Lyme High School are asking players to submit their water gun choices for pre-approval to make sure they don't look real.

"We want to make it work as much as we can," she said. "I've been wanting to do it since my freshman year."

Kristin Bullock said her son, a senior, will play despite the warnings.

"I'm happy to let him play and be a kid," she said. "We always want the kids to do stuff besides get in trouble, but every time they try to do something, it gets taken away."

She acknowledged the importance of talking to kids about the rules before they play.

"Don't be stupid," she recounted telling her son. "Don't be wandering around anybody else's yard. If you don't know where you're going, don't go."

e.regan@theday.com