A high school principal in Oklahoma is recovering after he tackled an armed former student who entered the building with two semiautomatic handguns, preventing what authorities believe could have been a catastrophic school shooting.
Kirk Moore, principal of Pauls Valley High School, confronted Victor Lee Hawkins after the 20-year-old suspect walked into the school lobby on the afternoon of April 7, 2026. Despite being shot in the right leg during the encounter, Moore wrestled the gunman onto a bench, disarmed him and held him down — with the help of an assistant principal — until law enforcement arrived.
The Pauls Valley Police Department reported the incident around 2:21 p.m. that Tuesday afternoon. According to the arrest affidavit, Hawkins entered the school at approximately 2:19 p.m. Multiple agencies responded, including the Pauls Valley Fire Department, Garvin County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ATF agents.
Moore’s quick thinking and decisive action averted what could have been a massacre at the rural Oklahoma school. The suspect, a former student who graduated from Pauls Valley High School in May 2025, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.
Three days after the incident, on April 10, Moore released his first public statement while recovering from the gunshot wound to his right leg.
“Words alone cannot begin to express my gratitude for the outpouring of love and support I have received from the Pauls Valley community,” Moore said in the statement. “I am forever grateful for the support I am receiving from those close to me, as well as new friends who have wished me well in their prayers.”
The principal acknowledged both his preparation and faith played roles in his response to the threat. He said training exercises that educators across the country now routinely practice proved vital when confronted with real danger.
“Pauls Valley schools are safe communities unaccustomed to the type of threat we witnessed on Tuesday,” Moore explained. “Nevertheless, like so many educators around the country, we prepare for these events through training and careful assessment of the threats. I am grateful that my instincts and training, as well as God’s hand, were available to me on Tuesday.”
Moore praised the multiple law enforcement agencies that responded to provide support during and after the crisis. He expressed particular pride in the alumni from Pauls Valley who serve in these departments and demonstrated the school’s values through their professional response.
Students returned to Pauls Valley High School on Friday, April 10, just three days after the shooting. Counselors, law enforcement officers and community members were present to support students as classes resumed. The show of solidarity reflected the tight-knit nature of the Pauls Valley community in the aftermath of the crisis.
The community’s appreciation for Moore’s heroism manifested in a remarkable honor. Following the incident, Moore was crowned prom king at the school’s prom, a symbolic gesture recognizing his courage and the deep respect students and residents hold for their principal.
In his statement, Moore indicated his eagerness to return to his duties at the school. “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,” he said.
The incident at Pauls Valley High School highlights the reality facing educators nationwide as school shootings continue to threaten American communities. Moore’s response stands as an example of the split-second decisions administrators and teachers may be forced to make to protect their students.
The principal’s actions also underscore the importance of active shooter training in schools. What could have been a devastating tragedy was prevented by one educator’s willingness to place himself in harm’s way and his ability to act decisively under extreme pressure.
Moore continues recovering from his injuries and attended prom in high spirits. The gunshot wound to his right leg has not dampened his resolve to return to Pauls Valley High School, where students, staff and the broader community await his comeback.
Hawkins has been charged with shooting with intent to kill, feloniously pointing a firearm and carrying a weapon to a public assembly. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held on $1 million bond. His preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for May 8. Prosecutors allege Hawkins told investigators he wanted to carry out a mass shooting inspired by the 1999 Columbine massacre and specifically targeted Moore.
For the residents of Pauls Valley, a small community of about 6,200 in south-central Oklahoma, the events of April 7 will not soon be forgotten. Neither will the actions of the principal who tackled an armed intruder despite being shot, protecting the students under his care.