Your kid's water gun game could land you in trouble

Morning from the Automobile City — here's what's growing in Steinbach.

Okay, so picture this: high school kids, water guns, and a game called "Senior Assassin." Sounds like harmless fun, right? Well, police in Ontario are actually investigating after an unhoused man was apparently sprayed with a water gun. It makes you wonder how quickly something meant to be a bit of end-of-year mischief can go sideways, especially when the public might mistake those water guns for something much more serious. We've all seen the videos online, and it's easy to get caught up in the hype, but there's a real line here.

### Why This Matters for Steinbach

This "Senior Assassin" game, where students chase each other with water guns to "eliminate" opponents, is definitely making its way around high schools, and yes, that includes here in Steinbach. It’s the kind of thing that spreads fast on social media, from the hallways of the SRSS to the parking lot of the Steinbach Credit Union. While it might seem like just a bit of fun, the police are flagging a few serious concerns:

* **Public Safety:** In the wrong context, a water gun can easily be mistaken for a real weapon, especially if someone is playing the game in a public space like the Clearspring Centre or near the Loewen Windows plant. This can understandably cause panic and lead to police involvement.

* **Property Damage:** Chasing each other around can lead to accidental damage to property.

* **Harassment:** As seen in Ontario, if someone who isn't playing the game gets caught in the crossfire, or worse, targeted, it can quickly escalate into harassment or even assault charges.

We pride ourselves on our safe, community-minded atmosphere here in Steinbach. Our kids are growing up in a city that's seeing incredible expansion, attracting new families and businesses daily. We need to make sure that as our city grows, we're also teaching our youth to be mindful of how their actions, even those meant to be playful, can impact others and the community at large. It's about respecting our neighbors, whether they're on Main Street or down a quiet residential lane.

Lena Brandt, MiTL Sports Desk, Steinbach.

The crew on the morning show always has the best takes on this kind of stuff — tune in live at mornings.live.