Latest news with #ColleenBowers
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
Sniper rifles, not books: Senior Assassin video game gives Canada sleepless nights
A newly released violent video game, 'Senior Assassin', has surged into the Canadian spotlight, triggering alarm among lawmakers and law enforcement about its potential role in encouraging gun culture and aggressive behavior. This digital unease is now playing out in the real world in cities like Calgary, where police are voicing fears about an escalating trend among teenagers playing the live-action 'Senior Assassin' game. Also read: Virginia teenager shot dead after TikTok prank mistakenly assumed as break-in attempt by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo As policymakers reignite the long-running debate over how gaming culture intersects with real-world violence, many are pointing to the troubling normalization of weapons and combat-style thinking. Critics say the game reflects a growing trend in digital entertainment that blurs the line between fantasy and violence and may even influence how young people engage with risk and authority. Calgary Police fear it's 'a matter of time' before teen game ends in crisis Live Events Calgary authorities are sounding the alarm over 'Senior Assassin,' a viral game among graduating high school students that mimics tactical elimination, but with water guns and app-tracked targets. While it may sound like innocent fun, police say the implications are far from harmless. 'It's just a matter of time,' warns Insp. Colleen Bowers of the Calgary Police Service 's Youth Services section. 'The concern is that these kids are carrying replica guns that look real. And when a bystander or officer sees that, the situation can go south very fast.' Across Canada, the game has already triggered disturbing incidents. In Guelph, Ontario, a school was thrown into lockdown and a teenager was arrested at gunpoint after reports of students carrying a firearm—which turned out to be a water gun painted black. So far, Calgary has avoided such emergencies, but with the game gaining momentum, police fear a potentially tragic encounter is inevitable. Both the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District have acknowledged the game's presence and say they're working with police and school principals to discourage unsafe behavior. Replica weapons remain banned on school grounds, but the game's growing reach is hard to contain—especially since it's driven by a mobile app that assigns targets and uses real-time location data. Also read: Nashville School shooting: Teen opens fire on female student, then turns gun to himself | Trump 2.0 That digital component is especially concerning, say police, who urge parents to have open conversations with their kids about online privacy and physical safety. 'Sharing your live location to an app—especially when you don't know who's collecting that data—is a huge risk,' said Bowers. 'Add that to the presence of replica guns, and it becomes a recipe for disaster.' As concerns mount over both digital and real-life violence, Canadian officials are left grappling with a much larger question: Are we paying enough attention to how media, entertainment, and technology are shaping our behaviors? In a climate where 'games' increasingly mimic combat and surveillance, that answer feels more urgent than ever. FAQ: Understanding the 'Senior Assassin' Game 1. What is 'Senior Assassin'? 'Senior Assassin' is a real-world, tag-style elimination game typically played by high school seniors. Players are assigned a target and must 'eliminate' them using non-lethal methods, usually water guns, spray bottles, or foam darts. 2. How do players get their targets? Most games are managed through a mobile app or group chat. Players receive a randomly assigned target and are also being hunted by someone else. Once a target is eliminated, the player inherits their target. 3. Where is the game played? The game is usually played off school property, in public or private spaces like neighborhoods, parks, or malls. Schools typically prohibit gameplay during class hours or on school grounds. 4. What are the rules of the game? Rules vary by group, but common rules include: No eliminations on school property No violence or physical contact Only specific tools like water guns allowed Safe zones like homes, schools, or workplaces Proof (usually via video) is required to confirm an elimination 5. Why is the game controversial? Because some players use realistic-looking toy guns, the game can cause panic. There have been police responses, lockdowns, and even arrests when the game was mistaken for a real threat. 6. Is it legal to play 'Senior Assassin'? The game itself isn't illegal, but using or brandishing replica weapons in public can lead to serious legal consequences, including arrest, especially if someone feels threatened or if police intervene.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- CTV News
‘Be aware': Calgary police say popular ‘Senior Assassin' game comes with risks
Calgary police worry it's only 'a matter of time' before a major incident will occur as students throughout the city participate in a popular game known as 'Senior Assassin.' The live-action game is typically played by senior high school students and involves players eliminating 'targets' during a set time period using water guns, spray bottles or other methods. In Ontario, police issued warnings after students with replica firearms or spray-painted water guns prompted lockdowns and community alerts. In Guelph, Ont., for example, a school was put into lockdown earlier this month and a teen was arrested at gunpoint after police were called about a group spotted with a gun. The weapon turned out to be a realistic-looking water gun. 'We haven't, fortunately, had any major incidents in Calgary yet,' said Insp. Colleen Bowers with the Calgary Police Service's Youth Services section. 'I fear that it could be a matter of time.' 'There are youth that are playing this game, and the concern is they're carrying replica handguns or water pistols that look like a real handgun, and when police or citizens see that, they treat it as a real handgun.' Both the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District acknowledge students in this city are playing the game and the school boards are working with police and school principals to address concerns. Weapons, including replica guns and water guns, are not permitted on school property, each school board confirmed. The game is powered by an app that assigns the 'targets' and uses location data of the participants, something parents should also speak to their teenagers about, police say. 'As parents, be aware of the social media. Be aware of what they're doing on their phones,' said Bowers. 'Make sure they know not to take any of this stuff into the schools and to be really, really careful when you're playing this game, because sharing your location to anyone – you don't know who's getting that, and they could have nefarious reasons for having your location. 'It's just not safe to do.'
