High School Principal Talks About Stopping School Shootings

Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore is being hailed as a hero after he bravely intervened during a gunman’s attack at his school on April 7. Despite sustaining a gunshot wound to his leg, Moore tackled and disarmed the assailant, preventing potentially tragic consequences. In an interview with Kayleigh McEnany, Principal Moore and some faculty members discussed his courageous actions, which led to him being honored as “Prom King.”

During the interview on “Saturday in America,” Moore recounted the alarming incident where a 20-year-old former student entered the school equipped with two semi-automatic handguns. Authorities indicated that the suspect had intentions of carrying out a school shooting.

“It’s instinctual to protect,” Moore shared, reflecting on his experience in education over the past 37 years. “You can’t really prepare for something like this. But in those moments, it all seems to align somehow.”

As the situation escalated, the suspect aimed a firearm at a student. Moore noted a twist of fate when the weapon jammed. He tried to fire a warning shot into the floor, but the assailant tackled him.

“Bullets were ricocheting,” he explained, indicating why other staff members couldn’t step in immediately.

Though shot in the leg, Moore managed to subdue the gunman until law enforcement arrived.

Moore, who identifies as a person of faith, expressed his belief that divine guidance was at play that day. “Everything unfolded as I hoped it would,” he said.

Coach Mark Green commented on the event, asserting there was “no doubt” that Moore’s swift actions saved lives, noting the immense courage displayed.

The student body showed their appreciation by crowning Moore as prom king, which he found to be a touching gesture. “The kids were so thoughtful,” he remarked.

Junior Rachel Hamilton indicated that Moore receiving this honor felt “good for the soul,” echoing the sentiment shared by many in the school community.

Hamilton further mentioned that various occurrences during the ordeal felt significant, suggesting that “God was truly watching over us all.”

The suspect, Victor Hawkins, faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, pointing a firearm, and firing with intent to kill. Court records show he has pleaded not guilty, with a preliminary hearing set for May 8.