Video shows Oklahoma principal shot in leg as he tackles gunman before attack on students

PAULS VALLEY, OKLAHOMA: Kirk Moore is being hailed a hero after tackling an armed former student who entered Pauls Valley High School with a gun on April 7, preventing what authorities say could have been a mass shooting.

Moore was shot in the leg during the confrontation, but managed to subdue the suspect before any students were injured. Officials said his quick response likely saved lives, as new surveillance footage captured the moment he charged at and disarmed the attacker.

Principal stops gunman

According to authorities, the suspect, Victor Hawkins, a 20-year-old former student, entered the school armed with a loaded firearm and aimed it at students inside the building.

“When the principal and other school staff members spotted Hawkins, they attempted to subdue him, leading to a shooting,” the school said in a press release. “The principal was the only individual injured during the incident.”

Surveillance footage obtained by local media shows Moore rushing toward Hawkins and tackling him as he pointed the weapon inside the lobby. Another staff member helped disarm the suspect during the struggle.

“Because of the efforts of the school staff, they stopped Hawkins from potentially injuring other staff members and students,” the school said.

Shot while intervening

Investigators said officers responded to the school around 2.21 pm after reports of a shooting and found Moore with a gunshot wound to his leg. He was taken to a hospital and later reported to be in stable condition.

Authorities said Hawkins had pointed the weapon at multiple individuals and attempted to fire it, with reports indicating the gun malfunctioned at one point.

“The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives,” said Hunter McKee, spokesman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Suspect’s alleged motive

Court documents state that Hawkins intended to carry out a mass shooting and told a judge he planned to target students and staff before taking his own life.

He also reportedly said he wanted to carry out the attack “like the Columbine shooters did,” according to investigators.

Hawkins was arrested at the scene and faces multiple charges, including two counts of pointing a firearm, one count of shooting with intent to kill, and two counts of unlawful carry. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 8.

Moore has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. He said he hopes to return to work soon following the incident.

"I look forward to returning to work as soon as possible so that I may continue my life’s work educating the next generation of Oklahoma leaders. Until then, my thoughts are with our outstanding students, safe today in the arms of their families and friends," he said.