Shooter Targets Students Asking For Help. Video Captures Principal Subduing Attacker While Being Shot

Oklahoma High School Principal Shot While Confronting Gunman

The principal of Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma was shot in the leg on April 7 after a man entered the campus brandishing a gun at students, as evidenced by footage obtained by NBC News.

Kirk Moore, the principal, was seen charging out the door and tackling the suspect, leading to students fleeing to safety. The footage showed him forcing the assailant, former student Victor Lee Hawkins, to drop the gun before another staff member stepped in to secure it.

According to an arrest affidavit, Hawkins, 20, allegedly entered the school lobby equipped with two semi-automatic handguns. He ordered everyone to the ground and attempted to shoot a student, but his weapon malfunctioned. Two students reportedly pleaded for mercy and were allowed to leave before Moore intervened.

Hawkins later confessed to harboring a strong dislike for Moore and expressed a desire to replicate a Columbine-style school shooting. He also admitted to taking his father’s firearms without permission, revealing intentions to kill Moore, along with students and staff, and even himself, as reported in the affidavit.

Moore sustained a leg wound during the confrontation but stated on April 10 that he is “healthy and recovering.”

Pauls Valley Police Chief Don May labeled Moore a hero for his actions, noting that while he wasn’t surprised by Moore’s bravery, his deeds were nonetheless remarkable and undoubtedly saved lives.

Hawkins has been booked into the Garvin County Jail and is slated to appear in court on May 8. He faces multiple charges, including two counts of pointing a firearm, one count of firing with intent to kill, and two counts of unlawful possession.