Oklahoma High School Principal Thwarts Armed Attack, Injured While Disarming Suspect

A principal at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma intervened to stop a potential shooting on campus last Tuesday, authorities confirmed, sustaining a gunshot wound in the process.

Police said the incident began when Victor Lee Hawkins, 20, a former student, entered the school lobby armed with two semiautomatic handguns. According to an arrest affidavit, Hawkins told students to get on the ground and attempted to shoot a student, but his weapon malfunctioned. After clearing the malfunction, Hawkins fired at another student but missed. The gunman then allowed those students and others to leave the lobby.

Kirk Moore, the school's principal, acted quickly—emerging from a nearby door to tackle Hawkins from behind. School security footage reviewed by investigators showed Moore pinning Hawkins' face to a bench, removing one of the weapons, and restraining him with assistance from an assistant principal. During the confrontation, Moore was shot in the leg and subsequently hospitalized. He later released a statement expressing gratitude for the community's support and reported that he is recovering and plans to return to work as soon as possible.

According to investigators, Hawkins admitted bringing two firearms, taken from his father without permission, to the school with the intention of committing a shooting targeting students, faculty, Principal Moore, and himself. Prosecutors also reported that Hawkins drew comparisons to the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.

Local law enforcement praised Moore's response. Pauls Valley Police Chief Don May stated that Moore's actions likely prevented a tragedy, crediting his decisive intervention with saving lives.

Hawkins remains in custody at the Garvin County Detention Center on a bond of $1 million. He is charged with shooting with intent to kill, feloniously pointing a firearm, and bringing a weapon to a public assembly. A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for May 8, according to court records. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.