Principal Honored at Prom After Heroic Act
A routine prom night in a small town in southwest Oklahoma turned into an unexpected tribute when Principal Kirk Moore was named prom king. This crowning came weeks after he heroically intervened during an attempt by a suspect inspired by the Columbine incident, saving the lives of many students.
Junior Rachel Hamilton expressed her thoughts, saying, “It was definitely a great experience, and it eased my soul to know we were giving him the honor he deserved.”
Footage released by Pauls Valley High School on April 7 shows Moore being injured in the leg while confronting the alleged assailant, identified as former student Victor Lee Hawkins, 20 years old.
Reportedly, Hawkins entered the school’s lobby armed with two semi-automatic handguns, demanded that everyone lie down, and attempted to shoot students. Fortunately, the guns malfunctioned, and Moore intervened just in time, as authorities later confirmed.
Hamilton reflected on the day, noting, “I think a lot of things happened that weren’t just coincidences. God was truly watching over us all.”
In an interview, she shared her experience of hearing a crash while walking through the courtyard around the time of the attack. Initially, she didn’t suspect it was gunfire, and she kept going until she found out Moore had been shot.
Another student, Isaac Jacobson, learned the gravity of the situation while away from the campus. He recalled the anxiety of seeing law enforcement flood the area as he approached his vehicle, sensing that something was very wrong.
He expressed his relief when he discovered that a few friends had avoided the confrontation by chance, having stopped to talk with a teacher moments before. “If things had been different, people would have died,” Jacobson remarked. “Just because of the amount of coincidence that occurred, I can’t see it any other way but the hand of God.”
Weeks later, both Hamilton and Jacobson mentioned that prom felt like a respite, a chance to come together and celebrate amidst fear. Jacobson described a moment when he thanked Moore for his bravery, saying, “I went over and shook his hand… I wasn’t quite there yet, so I reached out and thanked him for everything.”
Reflecting on the community’s recovery, Hamilton noted the importance of living life to the fullest, recognizing that tomorrow isn’t promised. She admitted, “At the end of the day, knowing that there are good people like Coach Moore gives me hope beyond fear.”
According to court documents, Hawkins faces serious charges, including unlawful possession and firing a weapon with intent to kill. He has pleaded not guilty, with bail set at $1 million, and is due in court for a preliminary hearing on May 8.
