NBC News · Viral high school senior prank landing teens in trouble with the police

1. 1. A police officer in Michigan, responding to a late-night 911 call about a potential burglary, was ambushed by a teenager.
2. 2. The teenager who ambushed the officer was wielding what initially appeared to be a real firearm.
3. 3. Despite the apparent threat, the officer made the crucial decision not to fire, as the weapon was, in fact, a water gun.
4. 4. The teenager was participating in a high school prank known as 'senior assassin,' a popular spring pastime where students target classmates with water guns.
5. 5. While intended as harmless fun, 'senior assassin' and similar games involving realistic water guns pose significant risks due to the potential for misidentification by law enforcement.
6. 6. Police departments across the nation are now cautioning students to be mindful of how they play and the type of water guns they use.
7. 7. A primary concern is that many contemporary water guns are designed to look almost indistinguishable from actual firearms, making differentiation difficult in high-stress scenarios.