Principals warn of ‘dangerous’ water gun game at Lexington high schools

The principals of Lexington’s six main public high schools on late Thursday afternoon warned parents of a game circulating on student social media and texting platforms that entices teens to engage in “dangerous” activities with water guns or Orby guns.

Orby guns are toy guns that shoot small gel balls.

“We are aware of a game/challenge circulating on student social media and via texting platforms that entices our students to engage in dangerous activities with water guns or Orby guns,” the letter said.

“Students have been involved in incidents related to participation in this challenge at school, neighborhoods, and even at other students’ place of work,” a letter sent to Fayette County public schools families said.

The game, which originated on TikTok, involves kids shooting each other with the toy guns while trying to avoid being hit themselves. They can join a location and tracking app, such as Life 360, so they can find others who are playing the game, the principals said.

Participants are encouraged to wear swim goggles or floaties to be “immune” to being tagged and use water projection devices to surprise other students and tag them.

“We take student safety very seriously and while this may sound like harmless fun, there are inherent risks associated with this activity both on campus and in the community,” the letter said.

The principals said any student found in possession of items that look like a weapon on Fayette school campuses or at any FCPS-sponsored event will receive a consequence following the Student Code of Conduct up to, and including, suspension or expulsion.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, school officials sent a similar letter in May.

This story was originally published September 13, 2024 at 7:44 AM.