The security footage is harrowing. It captures the moment Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore became the last line of defense against a terrifying threat, confronting a gunman in the school’s main lobby.
On April 7th, former student Victor Hawkins, 20, walked into the school armed with two loaded semi-automatic pistols. The video shows Moore, without hesitation, moving towards the danger, a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him.
Gunfire erupted almost immediately. Moore was struck in the leg, yet he pressed forward, engaging Hawkins in a desperate struggle. The principal’s bravery, even while wounded, is a testament to his commitment to protecting his students.
The footage reveals a chilling detail: someone inside the school opened a door, inadvertently allowing Hawkins entry. Investigators are still determining the identity of this individual and their role in the incident, emphasizing they currently believe the person was not working with the suspect.
Despite the pain, Moore wrestled with Hawkins, managing to disarm him and wrestle a pistol from his grasp. Other staff members quickly joined the effort, helping to subdue the gunman until law enforcement arrived.
Hawkins, according to an arrest affidavit, had chilling motivations. He had studied the Columbine school shooting and openly expressed a desire to replicate the tragedy, telling investigators he “wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters did.”
The attack unfolded with terrifying speed. Hawkins allegedly yelled at students to “get on the ground” and even pointed a weapon at a student, attempting to fire, but the gun malfunctioned. He then fired at another student who raised his hands in surrender, pleading for his life.
Remarkably, despite the gunfire and the chaos, no one else was injured. Investigators credit Moore and the swift actions of the school staff with preventing a far greater tragedy. The principal’s intervention, they say, undoubtedly saved lives.
Hawkins now faces serious charges, including shooting with intent to kill, carrying a weapon into a public assembly, and feloniously pointing a firearm. The community is left to grapple with the near-miss and the extraordinary courage displayed by their principal.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Hunter McKee stated the staff’s immediate response was critical. Their decisive action transformed a potentially catastrophic situation into one where lives were preserved through bravery and quick thinking.
