Hero Oklahoma principal shot in leg while taking down armed school shooter

An Oklahoma principal has been hailed a hero after stopping a gunman who had entered his school on Tuesday afternoon. Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore was injured after being shot in the leg in the incident. 

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said that officers responded to the high school at around 2:21 pm on Tuesday for reports of a shooting. Officers found Moore suffering from a gunshot wound, and he was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The former student, Victor Hawkins, was arrested at the scene.

Authorities learned during the investigation that when Hawkins had gained entry to the school, Moore and other staff members attempted to subdue him, leading to the shooting in which only Moore was injured. "Because of the efforts of the school staff, they stopped Hawkins from potentially injuring other staff members and students."

Hunter McKee with OSBI told reporters, "The principal of the school had noticed that an adult male subject, 20 years old, had stepped foot into the school with a gun. When the principal noticed this, he quickly stepped in, as well as other staff. The subject was able to fire multiple rounds, where the principal was hurt, but no one else was." He added, "The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today," per KOCO.

The District 21 District Attorney’s Office announced that Hawkins has been charged with shooting with intent to kill, two counts of feloniously pointing a firearm, and carrying a weapon to a public assembly. He is being held on a $1 million bond.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt praised Moore, writing, "I’ve spoken to Pauls Valley Superintendent Dr. Brett Knight regarding the shooting at the high school where Principal Kirk Moore was injured. Principal Moore acted bravely to protect students’ lives. 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."

Madison Knighten, a former student, told KSL of Moore, "He would do anything to save those kids." The sentiment was shared by others, with another former student, Spencer Flinn, saying, "If some student was to get harmed, he would definitely take a bullet for him. I believe that." 

A childhood friend of Moore, Harold Marcum, said, "He's a hero. He wasn't thinking about himself. He was thinking about the kids."