Pauls Valley, Oklahoma – A quick-thinking high school principal tackled an armed gunman inside Pauls Valley High School just seconds after shots were fired, preventing what could have been a far worse tragedy.

The incident occurred on April 7, 2026, when 20-year-old Victor Lee Hawkins, a former student at the school, entered the building armed with two semi-automatic handguns. Surveillance video shows Hawkins firing shots in the lobby before Principal Kirk Moore rushed from his office and tackled him onto a bench.

Moore held the suspect down while another staff member helped kick the weapon away. During the struggle, Moore was shot in the leg. He was airlifted to a hospital but has since been released and is recovering.

No students or other staff members were injured.

Pauls Valley Police Chief Don May described the town of roughly 6,200 residents as a close-knit community where such violence is unexpected.

Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Lindel Fields praised Moore’s heroic actions, saying it was shocking that someone could go to work expecting a normal day and face such danger.

In a statement, Moore credited his response to “instincts and training, as well as God’s hand,” and said he hopes to return to work soon to continue “my life’s work educating the next generation of Oklahoma leaders.”

Hawkins faces multiple charges, including shooting with intent to kill, feloniously pointing a firearm, and carrying a weapon into a public assembly. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody on a $1 million bond. Court documents indicate he told investigators he was inspired by the Columbine shooting and intended to carry out a similar attack.

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