Senior prank ends in school lock-down and charges filed

TROUTMAN, N.C. – A senior prank in Troutman ended in a school lockdown and criminal charges Tuesday morning. It happened at a gas station on Main Street near South Iredell High School.

“It caused a massive reaction,” Chief Josh Watson from Troutman PD said. “Now a young man’s facing consequences.”

Police say teens were playing a game called “Senior Assassin.” A video posted on social media shows the so-called assassin recording himself shooting the target with a water gun, but police say this gun looks real.

“Where it becomes dangerous is if the water gun they’re carrying doesn’t look like a toy gun,” Chief Watson said. “Someone with a concealed carry permit could you know, use deadly force trying to protect somebody, thinking he’s doing the right thing, and it was all over a prank.”

Police say the teens left the Quality Mart gas station and drove less than a mile away to South Iredell High School. Police say the suspect was driving a white dualy truck.

“One of the SROs who was directing traffic as students were coming to the school, sees that a vehicle matching that description in the parking lot,” Chief Watson said. “They made the decision to go ahead and lock down the school as a precaution, and located through using the tag, we’re able to locate in the database the student’s name from and found him in a classroom in the school.”

Police arrested 18 year old Arkady Mueller and charged him with disorderly conduct. Police hope parents use this as a chance to remind kids about the dangers of pranks.

“We don’t want to see this become a bigger deal,” Chief Watson said. “When something like this happens, it has, you know, it’s a ripple effect that goes through the whole community and all the various government services.”

Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey posted a warning to Facebook asking for help from parents after deputies responded to several recent calls involving high school students participating in the viral game known as “Senior Assassin.”

“In several incidents across the Weddington and Indian Trail areas, teens have been reported wearing dark clothing and masks while carrying water guns that closely resemble real firearms. While many students view this as a harmless senior prank, these water guns are sometimes spray-painted or designed to look like real weapons, some without the traditional orange safety tip. This can cause fear, confusion, and dangerous misunderstandings for residents, students, and responding law enforcement professionals. Parents, we need your help. Please speak with your teens about the risks and consequences of participating in this activity. Hiding around homes, chasing people, driving erratically, or carrying items that resemble real weapons can quickly turn a prank into a dangerous situation. We want everyone to celebrate the end of the school year safely. Please help us ensure no one gets hurt over a prank. As always, if you observe suspicious or concerning behavior, please call 911.”