A viral social media post from Ashley Pierson and discussions shared by Valpo Happenings have sparked widespread debate in Indiana after a high school senior was arrested during what students say was a popular school-related game known as “Senior Assassin.”
The incident reportedly took place in the parking lot of a Planet Fitness in Portage, Indiana, where police detained the student while he was allegedly participating in the game using a water gun.
The post quickly gained attention after parents and community members claimed the situation escalated far beyond what they believed was necessary.
According to Tiffany Marie, the mother of the student involved, her son was taken into custody at gunpoint even though the object in question was a water gun used in a school-endorsed activity.
My senior was just arrested for playing senior assassin, the game is supported by the high school. This game that is supposed to be fun between the seniors, had my son arrested at gun point in the Portage Planet Fitness parking lot. Something needs to be done about this. My star football player, honor roll student, a kid that never gets in trouble was arrested for a game that has been played in the high school and surrounded districts for years. This whole situation is completely unfair to my freshly 18 year old kid. He is now traumatized due to the incompetence of the Portage Police Department. It was communicated by multiple sources that it is a well known game. All involved arresting officers also acknowledged it is game. It was also recognized that the gun that was used was A WATER GUN and they are still charging him with a level 5 felony
Tiffany Marie
She said the arrest has left her son traumatized and questioned why the situation resulted in felony charges.
Ashley Pierson, who helped amplify the story online, described the incident as “crazy” and urged people to share the post in hopes of drawing attention to what she believes is an unfair prosecution.
Her post reflected the frustration of many parents who feel the game has been played safely in schools and surrounding districts for years without serious issues.
Community Reaction Divided Over Police Response
The incident has split public opinion across social media. Some users, including Ed Carlson, argued that the law applies regardless of intent, emphasizing that actions can be misinterpreted in public settings.
He suggested that behavior resembling weapon use can be treated seriously by law enforcement, especially when officers must respond quickly to potential threats.
Others strongly disagreed with that interpretation. John Fannin responded by saying that officers themselves often handle firearms in public, questioning whether similar logic would apply.
Alicia Heitz also pushed back, claiming there is no brandishing law in Indiana that justifies a felony charge in this case and arguing that the most appropriate charge, if any, would likely be criminal recklessness depending on circumstances.
Ed Carlson you are a liar! There is no brandishing law in Indiana, let alone it being a felony! You may not point your weapon at anyone who doesnt deserve it. Wow!! Read the actual code instead of whatever AI told you. The very most he could get here is criminal recklessness if he didnt point it at someone which is sounds like he didnt!
Alicia Heitz
Ryan Spak and other commenters criticized what they saw as misinformation spreading in the discussion, while emphasizing that Indiana law requires careful interpretation rather than assumptions about intent.
The debate highlighted a broader confusion among residents about how self-defense and weapon-related statutes apply in fast-moving public encounters.
Parents and Residents Call for Clarity and Fairness
Many parents expressed sympathy for the student and frustration with how quickly the situation escalated.
Julie Lynn, another commenter, noted that similar “Senior Assassin” games are played in multiple schools but often come with strict rules about where and how they can be conducted.
She said her own child chose a brightly colored toy water gun specifically to avoid confusion, adding that appearance can heavily influence how others react in public spaces.
Debbie Lockwood Johnston also weighed in, saying she believes the situation reflects a larger issue with school-based games spilling into public areas.
While she acknowledged that the charges feel harsh, she suggested that better rules or even banning the game might prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, others like Anonymous participant 843 pointed out that in high-pressure moments, law enforcement and bystanders may not be able to distinguish between a toy and a real weapon.
That uncertainty, they argued, is what often leads to serious escalation.
As discussions continue, the case has become a talking point in Portage and beyond, raising questions about school traditions, public safety, and how quickly harmless activities can turn into serious legal situations when misunderstood in real-world settings.
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