Police are warning the community after a concealed carry holder at a restaurant in Gurnee nearly mistook masked high schoolers with water guns for an actual threat.
The Gurnee Police Department in a community alert Wednesday addressed incidents occurring nationwide and recently in the community associated with a game known as “Senior Assassins.”
A group of high school students from a neighboring community entered a Gurnee restaurant on Tuesday wearing ski masks and displaying water guns resembling firearms.
They were targeting other students who were dining in the restaurant and attempting to spray them with water, police said.
An adult, who is a concealed carry holder and was in the restaurant, mistook the situation for a genuine threat.
“The situation could have escalated quickly. The gravity of the situation cannot be emphasized enough; it had the potential to lead to serious consequences,” police said in the alert.
The game involves the formation of teams for a tournament-style competition. Participants eliminate opposing teams by “tagging” them with water guns.
It is common for players to wear ski masks to catch their opponents off guard.
The Gurnee Police Department emphasized that the depiction of firearms, whether real or imitation, in any public setting, is a “matter of concern and may instill fear among the public.”
The department said they urge community members to reconsider their participation in the activities and recognize the seriousness of their actions.
Incidents like these may warrant disorderly conduct charges as they often cause feelings of being alarmed and disturbed by others, police said.
“We appreciate the continued support of our community and encourage individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly. Remember, if you ‘See Something, Say Something,'” the department added.