Driver charged in relation to Laconia High School Senior Assassin game

One person was charged with negligent driving last month, allegedly during a game of Senior Assassin, a social game played by high school students as they approach graduation. This year, school administrators and local police took it very seriously.

Following the incident, Interim Principal Michael Boyle met with the senior class to let them know any activities related to the game would not be tolerated on school grounds, or at any school events.

“The school does not condone or support any activity related to this game on any school property, at any time,” Boyle said. “If a student participates in any activity that conflicts with our student handbook or Laconia School District policy, they will go through our typical discipline process.”

The driver was charged after Laconia police received a call at 8:31 p.m. on May 7, from someone reporting to have been harassed by someone driving in the Laconia Middle School parking lot. 

The game is organized as a tournament, and students track each other down outside of school, and attempt to tag their target out with a water gun, striving to be the last one "in" the game.

Police Chief Matthew Canfield said the incident was related to the game, which is played by 12th graders in several schools in the Lakes Region, and across the state.

Laconia High School leaders sent a statement to students and parents on May 8.

The game also prompted communication from the police.

“Participants often enter private property, hide in bushes, or wait in the driveways of residents who are not involved in the game,” the Laconia Police Department wrote in a statement. “We have [also] received reports of students driving recklessly to chase targets or darting into traffic on foot to evade ‘assassins,’ putting both the students and local motorists at extreme risk.”

The police also addressed concerns about students carrying water guns around, which can be mistaken for real weapons.

“In a split-second, a bystander or a police officer may not be able to distinguish a realistic-looking toy gun from a genuine weapon,” according to the Laconia Police statement. “This can lead to 911 calls for ‘man with a gun’ and high-stress encounters that carry the potential for tragic, unintended consequences."

Local students, parents, and other school staff declined to be interviewed for this story. 

Gilford Police posted their own statement on Facebook.

“While traditionally, this [game] involves brightly colored water guns, there is potential for more realistic objects as well as suspicious behavior such as hiding in bushes, yards and parking lots,” the statement reads. “We urge everyone to report suspicious behavior and for students to make safe and responsible decisions if choosing to partake in this activity.”

Gilford Superintendent Kirk Beitler said Gilford School District leadership does not promote or condone the game in any way.

“The news lately [has reported] students being arrested by the police because people think the students have a real gun,” Beilter said. “This is not a game we as a society should be promoting. Someone is going to get hurt.”