A 17-year-old high school senior from Texas is currently in critical condition in the hospital after falling from the back of a Jeep while participating in the game “Senior Assassin,” according to his mother, Raquel Vazquez. Vazquez told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth that her son, Isaac Leal, fell from the vehicle when it hit a bump in the road. She explained that the incident occurred when he jumped onto a parked Jeep during the game, but was unable to get off as the vehicle drove at a high speed for about five minutes until he fell and hit his head after hitting a dip in the road.
The incident occurred on April 20 in Arlington and was partially captured on cell phone and security footage, as reported by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. Authorities nationwide have issued warnings about the risks associated with the game, where players attempt to eliminate their assigned target by spraying them with a water gun.
Last month, the Claremore Police Department in Oklahoma cautioned that water guns could be mistaken for real weapons, and avoiding your “assassin” could lead to dangerous misunderstandings with law enforcement and the public. They emphasized that incidents of trespassing and reckless driving have been linked to the game.
The Sylvania Police Department in Ohio also expressed concerns regarding the game in an April 18 Facebook post, stating that multiple calls from alarmed citizens had been received, mistaking the game for a genuine threat. The department disclosed that students had altered toy guns to look more authentic and taken them onto private property and public roads, prompting police responses to what were perceived as weapon-related calls.
Both departments urged an immediate halt to playing the game in public areas and warned that individuals engaging in hazardous conduct or triggering law enforcement interventions would face criminal charges. Arlington police announced that they are probing the incident involving Leal to ascertain if any criminal wrongdoing had taken place.
Leal, who is a high school baseball player, remains under medical care. His mother expressed her distress, stating that she is unable to return home without him.
