High School Principal’s Brave Act Prevents Potential Tragedy in Oklahoma
A dramatic scene unfolded at an Oklahoma high school when a principal confronted and subdued a gunman, averting what could have been a catastrophic event. The incident occurred at Pauls Valley High School, where Principal Kirk Moore’s quick actions were caught on newly released surveillance footage.
The video, obtained through an Open Records Act request, depicts a harrowing moment as a person in a dark hoodie enters the school lobby and points a firearm at two students. After firing a shot, Principal Moore charges at the suspect, successfully tackling and disarming him. While the students managed to escape unharmed, another staff member appeared in the video to ensure the weapon was safely removed from the scene.
Despite sustaining a gunshot wound to his leg during the confrontation on April 7, Moore maintained control over the situation until law enforcement arrived. “The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today,” stated Hunter McKee, spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
In a social media post, Moore expressed his eagerness to return to his educational duties, stating, “I look forward to returning to work as soon as possible so that I may continue my life’s work educating the next generation of Oklahoma leaders.”
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Victor Lee Hawkins, a former student, was apprehended and is facing several charges, including unlawfully carrying a firearm and shooting with intent to kill. According to an OSBI affidavit, Hawkins revealed plans of a mass shooting, inspired by the infamous 1999 Columbine incident.
Hawkins, who pleaded not guilty, is currently held on a $1 million bond. His legal counsel, Tyson Stanek, has refrained from commenting on the case, adhering to the policies of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. This alarming episode took place in Pauls Valley, a community located about 60 miles south of Oklahoma City, with a population of approximately 6,000 residents.
