Oklahoma Principal Tackles and Disarms Would-Be School Shooter

Surveillance footage captures heroic act that prevented further violence

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:56pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually representing the aftermath of a violent confrontation at a school.A principal's heroic actions prevented further violence at an Oklahoma high school, but the aftermath exposes the harsh realities of gun threats in educational settings.Oklahoma City Today

A principal at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma is being hailed as a hero after tackling and disarming a former student who entered the school armed with a gun. Surveillance video shows the principal, Kirk Moore, sprinting out of his office to tackle the suspect, Victor Hawkins, after he tried to shoot a student. The principal was shot in the leg during the struggle but was able to hold the suspect down until police arrived.

Why it matters

School shootings and gun violence in educational settings remain a major concern for communities across the United States. This incident highlights the bravery of school leaders who are willing to put themselves at risk to protect students, and it raises questions about security protocols and mental health support for former students that could prevent such attacks.

The details

According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the 20-year-old suspect, Victor Hawkins, a former student at Pauls Valley High School, entered the school armed with a gun on April 7. Surveillance footage shows Hawkins ducking behind a vending machine and then emerging to fire a shot at a student, whose gun jammed. Principal Kirk Moore then sprinted out of his office and tackled Hawkins, allowing the student to flee to safety. During the struggle, Moore was shot in the leg, but he was able to hold Hawkins down until the assistant principal arrived and kicked the gun away.

  • On April 7, shortly after 2 p.m., the incident occurred at Pauls Valley High School.
  • Principal Kirk Moore was flown to an Oklahoma City hospital, where officials say he is expected to recover.

The players

Victor Hawkins

A 20-year-old former student at Pauls Valley High School who entered the school armed with a gun and attempted to shoot a student before being tackled by the principal.

Kirk Moore

The 35-year-old principal of Pauls Valley High School who tackled the armed suspect, sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg, but was able to hold the suspect down until police arrived.

Pauls Valley High School

The high school in Oklahoma where the incident took place.

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What they’re saying

“Principal Moore was the hero of the day. His quick thinking and brave actions likely saved lives.”

— Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

What’s next

The suspect, Victor Hawkins, is currently in jail, charged with two counts of pointing a firearm, one count of shooting with intent to kill, and two counts of unlawful carry. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges schools face in ensuring the safety of students and staff, and the critical role that courageous school leaders can play in protecting their communities. It also highlights the need for continued discussions around gun violence prevention, mental health support, and security protocols in educational settings.