Current:Home > MyPolice: 'Senior assassin' prank leaves Kansas teen shot by angry father, paralyzed -Visionary Wealth Guides
Police: 'Senior assassin' prank leaves Kansas teen shot by angry father, paralyzed
View
Date:2025-04-26 13:11:38
A social media trend had severe consequences for a young man who was allegedly shot by another teenager's father in Kansas last month.
Eighteen-year-old Anakin Zehring was shot in the back at a Walmart parking lot after participating in the "senior assassin" prank trend on May 11, according to an affidavit in Sedgwick County court obtained by USA TODAY on Wednesday. The bullet left Zehring paralyzed from the waist down and he has since undergone four surgeries, according to a GoFundMe page for his family.
Ruben Marcus Contreras, a man in his late 40s and the father of a 17-year-old girl at the scene, was arrested and charged with attempted murder in the shooting, which happened in the Wichita suburb of Goddard.
As part of the game − in which high school seniors use water guns to eliminate each other − Zehring was driving with two teen friends, one of whom yelled, "I’m your senior assassin," and shot a gel blaster at Contreras' daughter, the affidavit stated.
Contreras' daughter was with her boyfriend at the time. The boyfriend later told officials that neither of them knew who the teenagers were and that when confronted, one of the boys insulted the boyfriend and shouted profanities, the affidavit says. The boyfriend then called Contreras, telling him that his daughter had been shot with a gel blaster and that the teens said they were "trying to beat him up."
Contreras allegedly shot through car's back window
Contreras soon arrived at the scene and headed toward the car "in an angry matter," a Walmart employee told police, according to the affidavit.
Contreras is accused of then pulling a gun from his waistband and shooting one round through the back window of the teenagers' car, hitting Zehring in the back, one of the boys inside the car told police. Zehring said he then lost feeling in his legs and he crashed the car into a pole in the parking lot "because he didn't want to hit anyone."
When a bystander asked what happened, Contreras said that "they shot my daughter" multiple times, according to the affidavit.
The bystander then removed his shirt to stop the bleeding from Zehring's wound. Authorities found Zehring screaming in pain and saying he lost movement in his legs.
Contreras' attorney did not return USA TODAY's request for comment Wednesday.
Mother says teen's life took 'dramatic turn'
Zehring's mother, Kenly Zehring, said that her son faces long challenging road to recovery that requires extensive physical therapy, occupational therapy and skilled nursing care, according to the GoFundMe page. In an update posted Wednesday, she said the doctor told her "everything is looking good."
"My son is a vibrant young man with a bright future. However, his life took a dramatic turn on that fateful day," Kenly Zehring wrote. "Since the incident, he has endured unimaginable pain and hardship, yet his spirit remains unbroken."
His father, Jeremy Zehring, said that his son is "paying the ultimate price" and doesn't know whether he will be able to work at their family-run electrical company, according to the HuffPost. He said that no parent should endure the "devastating situation" they're experiencing.
"I know he wished he could change back things," Jeremy Zehring told the outlet.
What is 'senior assassin'?
Police, educators and state officials have warned against the "senior assassin" social media trend, arguing that it's dangerous and someone could easily mistake a toy gun for a real one.
High school seniors usually use water, paintball or airsoft guns for the game, and videos are uploaded to social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.
A Florida high school principal sent out a video to parents warning them of the trend's dangers, asserting that any student participating in it on school grounds would face suspension, reported Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Police in several Chicago suburbs have sent out alerts about the growing trend, WMAQ-TV reported, saying that there have been "concerning incidents," including kids wearing ski masks and carrying fake weapons that look real.
Contributing: Emilee Coblentz
veryGood! (555)
Related
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Indiana man pleads guilty to threatening Michigan election official after 2020 election
- Sex, violence, 'Game of Thrones'-style power grabs — the new 'Shōgun' has it all
- Letter containing white powder sent to Donald Trump Jr.'s home
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- When is Part 2 of 'The Voice' Season 25 premiere? Time, date, where to watch and stream
- Early childhood education bill wins support from state Senate panel
- NFL scouting combine is here. But there was another you may have missed: the HBCU combine
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Burger chain Wendy’s looking to test surge pricing at restaurants as early as next year
Ranking
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Bobby Berk's Queer Eye Replacement Revealed
- As MLB reduces one pitch clock time, Spencer Strider worries 'injury epidemic' will worsen
- Boeing shows lack of awareness of safety measures, experts say
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Ferguson, Missouri, agrees to pay $4.5 million to settle ‘debtors’ prison’ lawsuit
- Blogger Laura Merritt Walker's 3-Year-Old Son Callahan Honored in Celebration of Life After His Death
- Is Reba McEntire Leaving The Voice? She Says...
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
The 10 NFL draft prospects with most to prove at 2024 scouting combine
Don Henley is asked at Hotel California lyrics trial about the time a naked teen overdosed at his home in 1980
What counts as an exception to South Dakota's abortion ban? A video may soon explain
Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
Early childhood education bill wins support from state Senate panel
Jurors begin deliberations in retrial of an ex-convict accused of killing a 6-year-old Tucson girl
Eye ointments sold nationwide recalled due to infection risk