LAWRENCE — Three high school-aged kids were out for a run on Thursday afternoon when someone started shooting at them. With an Orbeez gun. For a game.

Officers identified a local high school student as the suspect and recovered an Orbeez gel projectile device believed to have been used in the incident. The student was taken into custody and now faces two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

The whole thing, according to investigators, is tied to a student-organized game called "Senior Assassin" — a nationwide trend among graduating seniors where players eliminate each other by tagging opponents with water guns or gel blasters. The game is not affiliated with or approved by any school district. It typically happens off school grounds and after school hours.

The problem here: the three kids who got shot at weren't playing.

The Lawrence Police Department said it's working with local school officials to keep students safe and reminded families that while Senior Assassin "may seem harmless," it "can create dangerous situations and lead to serious legal consequences."

Two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, for instance. That kind of consequence.