Oklahoma Principal Tackles Gunman, Preventing School Mass Shooting
On April 7, 2026, Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore heroically tackled and disarmed Victor Hawkins, a 20-year-old former student attempting a mass shooting in Oklahoma. Moore was shot in the leg but successfully subdued the attacker, who intended to replicate the Columbine massacre. No students were harmed, and Hawkins faces multiple felony charges. Recently released surveillance footage highlights Moore’s bravery and the swift staff response that averted a tragedy, drawing widespread praise for the principal’s actions and highlighting effective school safety protocols.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Father of Oklahoma School Shooting Suspect Reveals Motive After Principal Intervention
Victor Lee Hawkins, the father of a suspect who attempted to carry out a school shooting at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, has provided insights into his son's motive. The incident occurred on April 7, when the suspect barged into the school armed with two handguns. He was swiftly tackled and subdued by the school principal, preventing potential casualties. Hawkins was subsequently arrested in connection with the event. In recent statements, the father shed light on the underlying reasons driving his son's actions, offering a glimpse into the personal or psychological factors involved. This development adds context to the thwarted attack, highlighting the critical role of school staff in emergency response. The case has drawn attention to school safety protocols and the importance of immediate intervention by educators and administrators during active threat situations. Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the planned attack and the suspect's background.
nbcnewsOklahoma Principal Tackles and Disarms Gunman in School Shooting Attempt
Surveillance video released by Pauls Valley Public Schools shows Principal Kirk Moore tackling and disarming Victor Hawkins, a 20-year-old former student, during an attempted mass shooting at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma on April 7, 2026. Hawkins entered the school lobby armed with a pistol and fired shots before Moore intervened. The principal was shot in the leg but successfully subdued the attacker until law enforcement arrived. No students were injured in the incident. Authorities stated that the quick actions of Moore and other staff members saved lives. Hawkins, who admitted to investigators that he intended to kill students and staff before taking his own life, citing the Columbine shooting as inspiration, has been charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm, shooting with intent to kill, and pointing a firearm. He is currently held on a $1 million bond and has pleaded not guilty. Moore remains in stable condition and expressed his desire to return to work soon. The video was released following an Open Records Act request, highlighting the bravery of school staff in preventing a potential tragedy.
AP NewsOklahoma Principal Tackles Gunman, Prevents Mass Shooting at High School
Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore is being hailed as a hero after tackling an armed suspect inside the school lobby on April 7, 2026. Security footage released by authorities shows Moore rushing to subdue 20-year-old former student Victor Hawkins, who had entered the building with intent to kill. During the struggle, Moore was shot in the leg but sustained only minor injuries. A second school employee assisted by disarming Hawkins. No other individuals were injured in the incident. According to court affidavits, Hawkins admitted to investigators that he intended to replicate the 1999 Columbine massacre, bringing two of his father's guns to the school. One weapon malfunctioned when he attempted to fire at a student. Hawkins was arrested at the scene and faces charges including shooting with intent to kill. The Pauls Valley Public Schools Superintendent praised Moore's bravery and training, noting his three decades of service. The school was placed on lockdown until the scene was cleared. Moore expressed gratitude for community support and stated his intention to return to work soon, emphasizing the importance of educator preparedness.
usatodayOklahoma Principal Shot While Disarming Ex-Student Armed with Semi-Automatic Guns
Kirk Moore, the principal of Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, was shot in the leg while heroically disarming a former student who opened fire on campus. The incident, captured on surveillance video, occurred on April 7, 2026, when 20-year-old Victor Lee Hawkins entered the school armed with two semi-automatic handguns. Court documents reveal that Hawkins, a 2025 graduate, was obsessed with the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and intended to kill students, staff, and himself. Moore charged at Hawkins as the attacker pointed a weapon at a male student, tackling him to the ground despite being wounded. Another staff member assisted in subduing the suspect. Authorities praised Moore’s quick actions for preventing a potential tragedy, stating he undoubtedly saved lives. Hawkins was arrested and faces charges including shooting with intent to kill. He remains detained on $1 million bail. Moore received hospital treatment for his injury but is expected to recover. The event has drawn widespread praise for the principal's bravery and highlighted the school's preparedness protocols developed over the past decade.
The GuardianOklahoma High School Principal Tackles Armed Former Student
CCTV footage has captured the dramatic moment a high school principal in Oklahoma confronted and tackled an active shooter on campus. The incident occurred on April 7 at Pauls Valley High School, where the suspected gunman, identified as former student Victor Hawkins, entered the building and fired shots. Principal Kirk Moore is seen charging towards Hawkins and tackling him to the ground. Another staff member subsequently arrived to disarm the suspect by removing the firearm from his hand. During the confrontation, Principal Moore was shot in the leg but has since been treated and released from the hospital. Victor Hawkins was arrested at the scene and faces multiple serious charges, including two counts of pointing a firearm, one count of shooting with intent to kill, and two counts of unlawful carrying of a weapon. This event highlights the immediate dangers faced by school staff and the quick response required during active shooter situations. The footage serves as a critical record of the bravery displayed by the principal in protecting students and staff during the crisis.
BBC NewsSurveillance Video Shows Oklahoma Principal Tackling School Gunman
Newly released surveillance footage captures the dramatic moment Pauls Valley High School principal Kirk Moore tackled a gunman in the school lobby shortly after shots were fired. The incident occurred last week at the Oklahoma high school, where Moore, a veteran educator with 35 years of experience, rushed into the hallway to confront the attacker. Video shows Moore pushing the suspect onto a bench and restraining him until another staff member helped kick the weapon away. Moore was shot in the leg during the struggle and was airlifted to a hospital, but no other injuries were reported. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old former student Victor Lee Hawkins, faces multiple charges including shooting with intent to kill and remains in custody on $1 million bond. Local officials, including Police Chief Don May and State Superintendent Lindel Fields, praised Moore's bravery and quick action in protecting the community of 6,200 people. Moore credited his instincts, training, and faith for his ability to subdue the threat and expressed his desire to return to work soon.
cbsnewsOklahoma Principal Disarms Shooter, Preventing School Tragedy
In a dramatic act of courage at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, Principal Kirk Moore intervened to stop an armed attacker, preventing a potential tragedy. The incident occurred on April 15, 2026, when Victor Lee Hawkins, a 20-year-old former student, entered the school hallway armed with two semi-automatic pistols. Hawkins ordered occupants to the ground and attempted to shoot students, but his weapon initially jammed. After clearing the malfunction, he missed his target, prompting Principal Moore to lunge at the assailant and pin him to a bench. During the struggle, Hawkins managed to fire one shot, striking Moore in the leg. Despite the injury, Moore successfully disarmed Hawkins and neutralized the threat until local police arrived to arrest the suspect. Moore was hospitalized in stable condition, and no students were harmed. Prosecutors stated that Hawkins motivated the attack due to a personal grudge against the principal, whom he reportedly disliked. Surveillance footage captured the intense confrontation, highlighting the principal's quick response that saved lives in the small town of Pauls Valley.
corriereVideo Shows Oklahoma Principal Tackling School Shooter to Halt Attack
Newly released security camera footage captures the dramatic moment Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore tackled an armed former student, preventing a potential mass shooting in Oklahoma. The incident occurred on April 7, 2026, when 20-year-old Victor Hawkins entered the school lobby carrying a firearm. Moore, hailed as a hero by state officials, ran towards the gunman and tackled him despite being shot in the leg. A second school employee subsequently assisted in disarming Hawkins. Moore survived his injuries, and no students were harmed during the altercation. Court filings reveal that Hawkins confessed to investigators, stating he intended to replicate the Columbine High School massacre. He now faces felony charges, including shooting with intent to kill and pointing a firearm, along with misdemeanor counts for carrying a weapon into a public assembly. The video release on April 14 has drawn widespread attention to Moore's bravery and the swift response of school staff that averted a tragedy.
usatoday