Oklahoma principal describes moment he disarmed school shooter

11 May 2026 • 6:59 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Oklahoma principal describes moment he disarmed school shooter

  • Kirk Moore, principal of Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, tackled an armed former student who entered the school last month, preventing a potential mass shooting.
  • Surveillance footage from April 7 shows Moore pushing Victor Lee Hawkins onto a bench while another staffer kicked the weapon away.
  • Hawkins, armed with two semi-automatic pistols, allegedly tried to shoot students before Moore intervened, during which Moore was shot in the leg.
  • Investigators state Hawkins planned to kill students, faculty, and himself, aiming to emulate the Columbine shooters.
  • Moore, who recovered from his injury, was later celebrated by students and crowned prom king for his heroic actions.

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