Police Warn Students About Public Safety Risks of the 'Senior Assassin' Game

May 10, 2026, 08:00
CanadaSociety

Introduction

Police departments across Canada have warned high school students not to take part in a simulated elimination game because it can lead to dangerous misunderstandings with firearms and potential criminal charges.

Main Body

The game, known as 'Senior Assassin,' involves using water guns or pellet guns to 'eliminate' targets, often using digital leaderboards to track progress. Although students use the game to relieve stress before graduation, it has caused serious security problems. Because these toy guns look like real weapons, police have had to intervene in several high-risk situations. For example, a school in Guelph, Ontario, went into lockdown, and the RCMP in Strathmore, Alberta, detained students because they believed real weapons were present. These events are especially concerning following a tragic mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in February. Furthermore, the game has moved beyond students and has started to affect vulnerable people. In Kenora, Ontario, the police are investigating an incident where an unhoused Indigenous man was sprayed with water. Law enforcement officials emphasized that any physical contact without consent can be considered assault under the law. While some people view this as typical teenage behavior, activists pointed out that spraying water on someone in cold weather is dangerous for those without shelter. Consequently, schools like the Kenora Catholic District School Board have stated that the game is not supervised and is strictly forbidden on school property.

Conclusion

Police and school officials continue to warn students that even if the game seems harmless, it does not remove the risk of facing criminal charges or causing a tragic accident.

Learning

⚡ The 'Sophisticated Connection' Shift

To move from A2 to B2, you must stop using simple words like and, but, and so to connect your ideas. B2 speakers use Logical Connectors to show precise relationships between facts.

Look at how this article builds a professional argument using three specific 'Bridge Words':

1. The 'Result' Bridge: Consequently

  • A2 Style: "The game is dangerous, so the school banned it."
  • B2 Style: "...the game is not supervised and is strictly forbidden on school property. Consequently, schools... have stated [this]."
  • The Secret: Consequently signals a direct legal or formal result. Use it when you want to sound authoritative.

2. The 'Addition' Bridge: Furthermore

  • A2 Style: "The game is scary. Also, it hurts people."
  • B2 Style: "Furthermore, the game has moved beyond students and has started to affect vulnerable people."
  • The Secret: Instead of just adding a fact, Furthermore tells the reader: "I am adding a point that is even more important than the last one."

3. The 'Contrast' Bridge: Although

  • A2 Style: "Students want to relax, but it causes problems."
  • B2 Style: "Although students use the game to relieve stress... it has caused serious security problems."
  • The Secret: Starting a sentence with Although creates a complex structure. It allows you to acknowledge one side of the story before delivering the 'main' point.

💡 Pro-Tip for Fluency: Next time you write a paragraph, challenge yourself: replace every "so" with Consequently and every "also" with Furthermore. You will instantly sound more like a B2 learner.

Vocabulary Learning

warned (v.)
to give notice or caution about potential danger or problem
Example:The school warned students about the risks of the game.
simulated (adj.)
imitating or resembling something in a controlled way
Example:The game was a simulated battle using toy guns.
elimination (n.)
the act of removing or getting rid of something
Example:The objective of the game was the elimination of opponents.
dangerous (adj.)
capable of causing harm or injury
Example:The toy guns looked dangerous and caused concern.
misunderstandings (n.)
situations where information is interpreted incorrectly
Example:Misunderstandings about the game led to police intervention.
firearms (n.)
handheld weapons that fire projectiles
Example:The police were worried about firearms being mistaken for toy guns.
potential (adj.)
capable of becoming or having the possibility
Example:The game had potential legal consequences.
criminal (adj.)
relating to crime or unlawful acts
Example:Students could face criminal charges if they used real weapons.
charges (n.)
formal accusations of wrongdoing
Example:The police issued charges against the participants.
involves (v.)
includes or requires as part of its activity
Example:The game involves using water guns to eliminate targets.
digital (adj.)
related to computers or electronic systems
Example:Digital leaderboards displayed the players' scores.
leaderboards (n.)
rankings that show the performance of participants
Example:Leaderboards tracked progress in real‑time.
track (v.)
to monitor or record progress
Example:The app tracks the players' scores.
progress (n.)
the forward movement towards a goal
Example:Players aimed to improve their progress.
relieve (v.)
to ease or lessen
Example:Students used the game to relieve stress before graduation.
stress (n.)
a state of mental or emotional strain
Example:The game helped relieve stress.
graduation (n.)
the ceremony marking the completion of school
Example:Students played before their graduation.
caused (v.)
made happen or produced
Example:The game caused serious security problems.
serious (adj.)
of great importance or severity
Example:The situation was serious.
security (n.)
state of protection from danger
Example:Security concerns arose from the game.
problems (n.)
issues or difficulties
Example:The game created security problems.
intervene (v.)
to step in and stop or help
Example:Police had to intervene in high‑risk situations.
high-risk (adj.)
having a high chance of danger
Example:The game was considered high‑risk.
situations (n.)
circumstances or events
Example:Several high‑risk situations occurred.
lockdown (n.)
closure of a building for safety
Example:The school went into lockdown.
detained (v.)
held in custody
Example:Students were detained by the RCMP.
believed (v.)
thought to be true
Example:They believed real weapons were present.
especially (adv.)
particularly or notably
Example:The situation was especially concerning.
concerning (adj.)
worrying or troublesome
Example:The game was concerning to authorities.
following (prep.)
after or subsequent to
Example:Following a tragic shooting, schools tightened rules.
tragic (adj.)
causing great sorrow
Example:The shooting was tragic.
mass shooting (n.)
large‑scale gun violence event
Example:The mass shooting at the school shocked the community.
furthermore (adv.)
in addition or moreover
Example:Furthermore, the game spread beyond students.
moved (v.)
changed location or status
Example:The game moved beyond the school.
beyond (prep.)
outside the limits of
Example:The game affected people beyond students.
started (v.)
began or commenced
Example:The game started to affect vulnerable people.
affect (v.)
to influence or have an impact
Example:The game began to affect many.
vulnerable (adj.)
in a state of being at risk
Example:Vulnerable people were impacted.
investigating (v.)
looking into or studying
Example:Police are investigating the incident.
incident (n.)
an event or occurrence
Example:The incident involved a sprayed man.
unhoused (adj.)
without a permanent home
Example:The unhoused man was sprayed.
Indigenous (adj.)
belonging to native peoples
Example:The Indigenous man was unhoused.
sprayed (v.)
to apply liquid onto someone
Example:The gun sprayed water on him.
emphasized (v.)
to stress or highlight
Example:Officials emphasized the danger.
consent (n.)
permission or agreement
Example:Contact without consent is assault.
considered (v.)
regarded as or thought to be
Example:It is considered assault.
assault (n.)
physical attack or violence
Example:Assault is punishable by law.
typical (adj.)
common or usual
Example:Typical teenage behavior includes pranks.
teenage (adj.)
relating to adolescents
Example:Teenage years are full of exploration.
behavior (n.)
the way someone acts
Example:The game was part of teenage behavior.
activists (n.)
people who campaign for change
Example:Activists warned about safety.
pointed (v.)
directed attention to
Example:They pointed out the dangers.
spraying (v.)
the act of dispersing liquid
Example:Spraying water in cold weather is risky.
cold (adj.)
low temperature
Example:Cold weather can make water dangerous.
shelter (n.)
a place of protection
Example:Without shelter, people are vulnerable.
consequently (adv.)
as a result
Example:Consequently, schools banned the game.
stated (v.)
declared or announced
Example:The board stated the game was forbidden.
supervised (adj.)
under oversight
Example:The game was not supervised.
strictly (adv.)
in an absolute manner
Example:The game is strictly forbidden.
forbidden (adj.)
prohibited
Example:The game is forbidden on school property.
property (n.)
real estate or land
Example:The game is forbidden on property.
continue (v.)
to persist or keep going
Example:Police continue to warn students.
warn (v.)
to advise or caution
Example:The school warns students about risks.
seems (v.)
appears to be
Example:The game seems harmless.
harmless (adj.)
not causing harm
Example:The game appears harmless.
remove (v.)
to eliminate or take away
Example:The game does not remove risk.
risk (n.)
chance of danger
Example:Risk of criminal charges remains.
facing (v.)
encountering or dealing with
Example:Students may be facing charges.
causing (v.)
producing or generating
Example:The game is causing accidents.
accident (n.)
unintended incident
Example:The game could cause an accident.