A yearly “water assassins” game among Camarillo teens prompted an alert from Ventura County sheriff’s officials concerned about increasing calls from residents frightened by water guns that can look a little too real.

According to a Feb. 9 press release from the sheriff’s office, the game recently began among Camarillo teenagers and others in nearby cities and has led to more police calls as some residents mistake the game for a life-threatening situation.

The game is usually played outside of school hours and away from school, officials said. A high school senior is given the name of another student to hunt down with a water gun, sometimes tracking the target to his or her home, car, or a social event.

Upon finding the target, the hunter usually records a video to prove the victim was shot.

“Most students know to play the game with a brightly colored toy water gun, but sometimes poor judgment is used, and the water gun may appear to look like a real firearm.  This obviously presents great challenges and concerns for law enforcement and citizens,” officials wrote in the press release.

Some students also break laws during the game, they added, such as brandishing a weapon, trespassing, reckless driving, battery or assault, and displaying an imitation firearm.

Officials said the game is not sponsored by schools and recommended that students avoid speeding or chasing each other with their vehicles, blocking traffic, wearing dark clothing at night, and disrupting businesses or community members uninvolved in the game.

Anyone with questions or concerns can contact Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden, who is also the Camarillo Police Department’s youth services coordinator.