Red Deer RCMP issue toy gun warning as ‘Senior Assassin’ game spreads

Between April 14-22, Lloydminster RCMP received several reports, though the guns turned out to be of the airsoft variety.

Then on the morning of April 30, Strathcona County RCMP responded to a report of three youths in a local business carrying what was believed to be firearms. The youths were then reported to be driving around in a vehicle, pointing the fake guns out the window.

The youths in Strathcona County told police they were engaging in the water gun game referred to as ‘Senior Assassin’ or sometimes ‘Senior Splashin.’

“We strongly encourage parents and guardians to be aware of their child’s participation and to have conversations about safe and respectful play,” Constable Cheri-Lee Smith, Strathcona County RCMP public information officer, said in a media release last week.

“Let’s work together to ensure everyone remains safe, respectful and enjoyable in our community.”

“This incident could have had very serious consequences,” said Sergeant Chris Byford, an operations supervisor at Lloydminster RCMP on the incident there.

“Replica firearms can look very real and can still cause injury to others and/or damage to property. Police officers have no way of knowing otherwise when responding to a firearms call. Youth and their parents need to understand that carrying or displaying these items in public can quickly escalate into a dangerous situation.”

Though seemingly unrelated to the game, an incident took place in Red Deer in March on and around the grounds of Koinonia Christian School, where a significant police response was triggered by kids in the park who had what appeared to be real guns.

Red Deer RCMP are now saying that if you are taking part in anything involving toy guns, it is very important to ask yourself if your toy is easily recognizable as one.

Is it brightly coloured? Is it easy to spot as a toy?

In some cases described on social media, kids are painting toy guns black to make them look more realistic, but this also makes it more dangerous.

“As we enter warmer weather this spring, more youth, teenagers, and children will be seen outdoors playing in fields, spray parks, yards, and streets. Often warmer weather involves the use of water to cool down and occasionally includes the use of water guns,” Red Deer RCMP say in a May 7 release.

“Red Deer RCMP remind the public that replica firearms, including airsoft, pellet, BB, or toy guns designed to resemble real firearms, may result in seizure, criminal charges, or other enforcement action depending on the circumstances. Public awareness and early education are key to preventing tragic outcomes.”

If you have any information regarding crime within Red Deer, contact the Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

by Josh Hall

Red Deer RCMP issue toy gun warning as ‘Senior Assassin’ game spreads

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