A high school prank turned into a nightmare when a Kansas teenager was paralyzed in a shooting at a Walmart. What began as a game of “senior assassin” ended in a tragic confrontation. Now, a father faces serious charges, and a community grapples with the aftermath.
Teen Prank Turns Tragic
A high school prank in Kansas involving gel bead guns turned deadly last month. The chaos ended with a teenager paralyzed from the waist down after being shot with a real gun, according to a recently filed affidavit.
Shooting at Goddard Walmart
Sedgwick Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shooting outside a Goddard Walmart just before 5 p.m. on May 11. They found 18-year-old Anakin Zehring with a gunshot wound that damaged his liver, kidney, and spinal cord, leading to paralysis.
A Family’s Heartbreaking Appeal
Anakin Zehring’s parents described the tragic incident on their GoFundMe page. They detailed his severe injuries, including a punctured small intestine and a damaged spinal cord, as they sought help for his ongoing recovery.
Teenage Witnesses Questioned
Two boys, aged 16 and 17, were in the vehicle with Zehring but fled the scene. Authorities later located and questioned them, providing crucial details about the incident.
Dangerous Game of “Senior Assassin”
The trio was playing “senior assassin,” a game where high school seniors target each other with toy guns. The game, which often ends up on social media, had serious consequences this time.
Confrontation Escalates
Zehring and his friends reportedly fired a gel-bead gun at two other teens outside the Walmart. Conflicting accounts emerged about who fired the shot, leading to further investigation.
Father Alerted
The female teenager involved called her father, Ruben Marcus Contreras, to report the incident. This call set off the chain of events that followed, culminating in the tragic shooting.
Confrontation at Walmart
Contreras drove to Walmart and found Zehring and his friends in their Chevrolet Spark. He allegedly took a handgun from his waistband and shot into the vehicle, striking 18-year-old Zehring.
Charges Filed
Contreras faces first-degree attempted murder charges and has been released on bond from the Sedgwick County Jail. His attorney was unavailable for comment.
Employee Alert
A Walmart employee overheard the teenagers in the Spark shouting, “I’m your senior assassin,” before using the gel blaster. The employee informed the store manager, and S.C. confirmed hearing the same.
Store Encounter
The teenagers tried to enter Walmart after targeting S.C. and G.B., but a manager escorted them out. The affidavit detailed how G.B. confronted the males and was challenged to a meeting behind the store.
Parking Lot Tensions
S.C. and G.B. moved their vehicle to the online pickup area to wait for Contreras. Upon his arrival, they pointed out the “assassins” in the Chevrolet Spark.
Witness Accounts
A witness saw Contreras approach the teenagers and try to stop them from leaving. The vehicle then moved forward, and the witness heard a gunshot.
Aftermath
The vehicle sped off and crashed into a metal shipping container. The witness approached Contreras, who claimed, “They shot my daughter,” before the witness found Zehring with a gunshot wound, unable to feel his legs.
