WEST JORDAN, Utah — A high school senior was taken into custody Wednesday after allegedly sparking panic at Jordan Valley Hospital by entering the building with what appeared to be a firearm — later identified as a Nerf gun — in connection to a popular high school game known as “Senior Assassin.”
According to police reports, the incident occurred on April 30 when two young men were seen running into the hospital, one of them holding what resembled a real weapon. Witnesses reported that the pair asked if the building was a hospital before fleeing, which triggered immediate concern.
Hospital staff quickly contacted authorities, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Officers surrounded the hospital as security personnel and detectives debated initiating a lockdown. Visitors at the facility were visibly shaken, with some asking police if it was safe to go inside.
“It created a sense of fear and confusion for the public,” noted one officer in a written statement.
Police later located the 18-year-old suspect and questioned him about the situation. He explained that he was participating in “Senior Assassin,” a game often played by high school seniors involving toy weapons such as Nerf or water guns. The student claimed he was chasing a friend as part of the game, which inadvertently led them onto hospital grounds.
Despite the toy gun being harmless, the teen was arrested and is now facing a third-degree felony charge for making a threat of terrorism. Authorities argue that his actions disrupted hospital operations and created a substantial public safety concern.
“This incident required an emergency response from law enforcement and caused unnecessary fear among community members and hospital staff,” the police report stated.
In light of this incident, officials are once again warning parents and students about the potential dangers of playing games like “Senior Assassin” in public spaces. While common in high schools across the country, the game can easily be misinterpreted by bystanders, especially when toy weapons are involved.
Kaysville Police previously issued similar warnings in 2023 after a spike in emergency calls linked to the game. They emphasized that law enforcement must treat every report as potentially dangerous, regardless of the players’ intentions.
“We ask those participating in this game to consider how their actions may be perceived. What may seem like harmless fun can cause real fear and lead to serious legal consequences,” a Kaysville police spokesperson said.
Authorities have withheld the student’s name due to his age and high school enrollment. The incident remains under investigation.
