An unusually intense fight with squirt guns brought police to an Oakville neighbourhood — where they had some stern words with a group of teenage girls.

The teens were playing what's often called the Assassin Game. It's fought with squirt guns, often in a large public area and over an extended time.

But area residents, who didn't know that, were alarmed to see people in black hoods and ski masks, brandishing what looked to be weapons.

"We saw a car drive down the road with someone's head sticking out of the sun roof," said Tara Alpaugh.

"They were wearing ski masks, yelling and screaming."

Resident Chris Chadwick said the teens "looked like terrorists."

"It's just the wrong thing to do with the way the world is," he told CBC News. "It looks scary and mothers and fathers are going to react."

Police were called, and they shut down the street.

Halton Regional Police say the kids were playing a dangerous game — noting that, when they get a "gun" call, they treat it as a real gun.

Police said they will continue to react until the message gets through.