Student shot by FDLE while playing ‘Senior Assassin' game
Florida officials warn of the dangers of the game after student shot
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida law enforcement leaders held a news conference on Thursday regarding the dangers of the 'Senior Assassin' game, a tradition among high schoolers.
This comes after an 18-year-old Jacksonville high school football player was shot in the arm on Wednesday by an off-duty Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent while playing the popular game.
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According to WJXT, the shooting occurred around 6 a.m. in Nassau County when the FDLE agent spotted three people standing outside homes in a residential neighborhood.
The game involves groups or pairs of students shooting each other with water guns until the last team remains.
Gameplay usually occurs in the early or late hours of the night while it is still dark and often takes place on private property such as yards, driveways, or garages.
Last year JSO issued a public service announcement warning parents of the potential hazards surrounding the game, which is prohibited on some school grounds.
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'While intended to be really a simple and fun game, these tactics can obviously create a dangerous environment with potentially fatal consequences. And the reality is, we live in a different day than when we did when this game started some decades ago,' Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson said.
'Across the country, there have been tragedies and near tragedies that have occurred as a result and all in retrospect, preventable.'
The student was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and, according to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, he is expected to make a full recovery.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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