An Oklahoma high school principal is being credited with stopping a potentially deadly school shooting after surveillance video captured him confronting and tackling an armed former student inside the building, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
Kirk Moore, 60, principal of Pauls Valley High School, rushed toward 20-year-old Victor Lee Hawkins in the school lobby last Tuesday afternoon after reports of gunfire, according to surveillance footage obtained by KOCO.
Authorities said Hawkins entered the school armed with two loaded semi-automatic pistols and began threatening those inside.
HERO!!! This is Pauls Valley High School (Oklahoma) Principal Kirk Moore. Yesterday, he tackled a would-be school shooter and was shot.
Because of Principal Moore, no one else was hurt.
He is recovering in the hospital.
The suspect is in jail. pic.twitter.com/z8XRUMDDow [2]
— The Hunter (@the_hunter1100) April 9, 2026 [3]
Court documents reviewed by KFOR state that Hawkins ordered individuals in the lobby to get on the floor and attempted to fire at one student.
The weapon malfunctioned before he aimed at another student, who pleaded with him not to shoot.
Investigators said Hawkins later told authorities he “didn’t like Principal Moore” and “went to the school to kill” him.
Moore, who has worked in the district for more than 35 years, responded to the situation by entering the lobby area where Hawkins was located.
Surveillance video shows Hawkins pointing a firearm at Moore and firing, striking the principal in the right leg.
Despite being shot, Moore immediately moved toward Hawkins and tackled him.
The footage shows Moore forcing Hawkins toward a bench before bringing him to the ground. During the struggle, Moore pinned Hawkins’ right hand, preventing him from firing again.
As the confrontation unfolded, a student fled the area while another adult male, described as wearing a red shirt and beige pants, entered the scene and assisted Moore by kicking one of the weapons away.
Law enforcement officials said Moore’s actions prevented further injuries or fatalities.
Hunter McKee of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said, “The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today.”
Pauls Valley Superintendent Brett Knight also praised Moore’s response, calling him a “hero” in remarks reported by The Oklahoman.
“He’s actually been a mentor to me,” Knight said. “He was kinda (the) one that kind of helped me when I was first hired.”
Local Councilman Kahn Nirschl also acknowledged Moore’s actions, stating, “He undoubtedly saved lives today through his actions.”
Authorities said Hawkins admitted to taking the firearms from his father. Investigators also said he told them he “wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters did,” referencing the 1999 attack that resulted in 14 deaths.
Hawkins has been charged with shooting with intent to kill and other firearm-related offenses. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 8.
Moore was the only person injured during the incident. Officials said he was hospitalized following the shooting and later reported that he is “healthy and recovering.”
The incident has drawn attention to the rapid response by school staff and law enforcement, with officials noting that the situation was contained before additional harm could occur.