A heroic Oklahoma principal was shot in the leg while tackling a school shooter, according to authorities who hailed him for saving pupils’ lives.
Pauls Valley High School principal Kirk Moore was the only person injured Tuesday when he and other staff tackled the gunman, who was later identified as Victor Hawkins, a 20-year-old former student, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
“The principal of the school had noticed that an adult male subject … had stepped foot into the school with a gun,” bureau spokesperson Hunter McKee told KOCO.
“When the principal noticed this, he quickly stepped in, as well as other school staff. The subject was able to fire multiple rounds, where the principal was hurt — but no one else was.”
“The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today,” the bureau rep stressed.
The staff were able to keep Hawkins subdued until police arrived around 2:30 p.m. and took him into custody. Students were placed on lockdown but none were injured.
Moore suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was flown to Oklahoma University Health in Oklahoma City, about 60 miles north of Pauls Valley, for treatment.
The gunman’s motive remains under investigation, officials said.
“Principal Moore acted bravely to protect students’ lives,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a statement. “Sarah and I are praying for his quick recovery. I’m thankful for the swift response from law enforcement and school staff, and I’m grateful no students were harmed.”
Hawkins was booked at the Garvin County Jail. He’s charged with shooting with intent to kill, two counts of pointing a firearm and two counts of unlawful carry.
The school remained closed on Wednesday as investigators remained at the scene.
Pauls Valley Mayor, Jocelyn Rushing, who works with Moore at the high school as an administrative assistant, called the principal a “fine man who loves his students.”
Moore “is willing to go out of his way to ensure their safety, and that was proven today by the steps that he took,” Rushing told News 9.
