Portage, IN – A high school senior was arrested and transported to the Porter County Jail after a realistic-looking water gun prompted a massive emergency police response Friday afternoon.
Portage Police Department officers were dispatched to the Planet Fitness at 6221 US Highway 6 at approximately 1:21 p.m. on Friday. The response followed a 911 call reporting a man outside the business who appeared to be waiting for someone while armed with a handgun. According to the Portage Police Department, the caller described the suspect as “nervous” and “hiding himself” by the front door.
The report led to a significant mobilization of law enforcement resources, including ten on-duty patrol officers, two off-duty officers, and a Porter County Sheriff’s Deputy. Dispatch logs indicated the suspect was allegedly seen repeatedly pulling the item in and out of his waistband and pocket. Officers responded with lights and sirens, believing they were heading toward an imminent active shooter situation.
According to police officials, the suspect was identified as 18-year-old Adrian Williams. Upon being detained, Williams reportedly told officers he was participating in a game of “Senior Assassin,” a popular tradition among high school seniors. While a firearm was visible in the passenger compartment of his vehicle, it was later determined to be a water gun. However, the responding officer noted the item appeared to be a genuine firearm until he was within a few feet of it.
The Porter County Prosecutor’s office was briefed on the situation, and a Deputy Prosecutor subsequently authorized a felony charge of Intimidation against Williams.
The Portage Police Department noted that while many students use brightly colored water guns for the game, outliers using realistic-looking replicas have caused fear and panic. They cited previous instances of reckless driving and road rage allegedly linked to the game.
