Louisiana Student Investigated After Suggesting Square Root Symbol ‘Looked Like A Gun’

A high school student in Louisiana was investigated and had his belongings searched after he commented that the square root symbol used in mathematics looked like a gun.

The incident started when the student suggested the symbol, written on another student’s work, resembled a weapon, according to KATC. Other students commented, and following a discussion, the student’s comment was reported to authorities, who took swift action to neutralize the student’s “threat.”

“Subsequently, authorities conducted a full investigation and searched the student’s home, but concluded there was no evidence that suggested the high-schooler had any intent to cause harm to students or faculty,” local news reports.

The local sheriff’s office took what appear to be overly-extreme measures to prevent a shooting like the one that took place in Parkland, Florida, on Valentine’s Day. In that case, several friends, caretakers, and school administrators reported the alleged shooter’s behavior to both local authorities and the FBI, but warnings went unheeded.

The sheriffs say they were just trying not to make the same mistake.

“The student used extremely poor judgment in making the comment,” Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook. “But in light of the actual circumstances, there was clearly no evidence to support criminal charges.”

The Allen Parish School Board says they may decide to take disciplinary action against the student, but an internal investigation is still pending.