James M. Spinney, Chief of Police
2 Olde North Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Statement from Police Chief James Spinney Regarding “Assassins” Game at High School
CHELMSFORD — Chief James Spinney reports that the Chelmsford Police Department has responded to a number of complaints and calls for service attributed to the Chelmsford High School senior’s “Assassins” game over the last week and do not condone the tradition
The Assassins game has become an annual tradition for Chelmsford High School graduating seniors. It is comprised of two-person teams pursuing their assigned “targets” with water guns, inheriting the targets of those they successfully squirt. The last team not to get squirted wins.
The game usually leads to an increase in nuisance calls to the Chelmsford Police Department. This year, there have been documented incidents resulting from the game, including a minor motor vehicle crash, an unauthorized entry into a home and rocks being thrown at a residence.
After discussing the dangers of the game with students, Chelmsford Police School Resource Officer Rebecca Tyros respectfully asked that the seniors organizing the game terminate it as soon as possible. The students were cooperative and ended the game today at her request.
“The Chelmsford Police Department and Chelmsford Public Schools do not sanction or condone the Chelmsford High School tradition of the Assassins game,” Chief Spinney said. “Fortunately, no one has been injured as a result of this game, but the increasingly aggressive behavior of participants can create very dangerous situations for the players and those around them. We want our students to have fun and enjoy their senior year, but we need them to do so in a way that is safe and responsible for everyone.”
No one has been injured in any of these incidents and there are no active criminal investigations into any of the incidents.
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