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Principal Tackles Armed Student, Is Wounded and Recovers

CrimeEducationSociety4/22/2026
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A former student entered Pauls Valley High School with a handgun and pointed it at students before Principal Kirk Moore tackled him. Moore was shot during the struggle but recovered and has since returned to school activities. The suspect is in jail and will face trial on firearms and shooting charges in May.

Facts First

  • Former student Victor Hawkins entered the school with a handgun and pointed it at students in the lobby.
  • Principal Kirk Moore tackled the armed suspect and was shot during the struggle.
  • Moore was airlifted for treatment and returned to activity shortly after, later attending the school prom.
  • A staff member removed the weapon from the suspect during the incident.
  • Hawkins is in jail and scheduled for trial on May 8 for firearms and shooting charges.

What Happened

Victor Hawkins, a former Pauls Valley High School student, entered the school with a handgun and pointed it at several students in the lobby. Security camera footage captured the incident. Principal Kirk Moore exited his office and tackled Hawkins to the ground. A staff member removed the weapon from the suspect. During the incident, Principal Moore received a gunshot wound and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. He returned to activity shortly after and later that month attended the school's prom, where he was crowned Prom King.

Why this Matters to You

This incident highlights the critical role of school staff in responding to immediate threats, which may affect your confidence in local school safety protocols. For families in the Pauls Valley community, the principal's recovery and return to school activities could provide a sense of resilience and stability following a traumatic event.

What's Next

Victor Hawkins is currently in jail and is scheduled to face trial on May 8 for various firearms and shooting charges. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) spokesman Hunter McKee commented on the incident following the event, which suggests the investigation may be concluding as the case moves toward trial.

Perspectives

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Law Enforcement asserts that the immediate intervention by staff and the principal "saved lives" during the incident.
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Students view Principal Kirk Moore as a hero and remember the prom as "the best night of their lives."
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Media Observers note the unexpected nature of the principal's popularity, describing him as an "unlikely candidate" for Prom King.