Oklahoma high school principal takes down would-be shooter, hailed as hero
An Oklahoma high school principal is being hailed as a hero after authorities said he charged and stopped an armed former student who intended to carry out a mass shooting at the school.
On April 7, a 20-year-old former student entered Pauls Valley High School armed with two pistols just after 2 p.m. local time, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Security video showed the suspect, later identified by authorities as Victor Hawkins, armed and walking through the school's front doors, appearing to rack the slide of a handgun as he moved through the hallway, authorities said.
"At approximately 2:21 p.m., officers responded to a shooting call at Pauls Valley High School. When officers arrived on scene, they located an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound. It was determined the victim is the principal of the school. He was transported to a local hospital in stable condition," officials stated.
Investigators said Hawkins aimed a gun directly at Principal Kirk Moore, who rushed toward him. Moore was shot in the lower right leg during the struggle with the suspect, but was able to tackle him to the ground.
Video showed Moore lying on top of the suspect as an assistant principal helped secure the weapon and remained on top of Hawkins until law enforcement arrived, authorities said.
"The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives," Hunter McKee, a public information manager with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, told ABC News.
Court documents allege that Hawkins told detectives he intended to carry out a mass shooting inspired by "Columbine" and that he "did not like Principal Moore," prompting him to go to the school "to kill" him, investigators said.
Moore was airlifted to a hospital after the confrontation and video released later showed him alert and conscious as he was treated for his injuries.
"These incidents are very chaotic, but everybody came together and worked hard and did a good job," Pauls Valley Police Chief Don May told ABC News. "The students are safe and now home with their parents."
Authorities said no students were physically harmed during the incident.
Hawkins has been charged with shooting with intent to kill, according to police. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held on $1 million bond.
