Kirk Moore, the Oklahoma principal who tackled a gunman inside a high school last month, has spoken for the first time about the incident, saying he believes “God’s hand was on all of us” during the attack.
Surveillance footage from April 7 shows Moore, principal at Pauls Valley High School, pushing armed former student Victor Lee Hawkins onto a bench while another staff member kicked the weapon away. “I don’t know what I was thinking,” Moore told CBS News. “I just knew, I was just running to get to whatever was going on.” He added, “I think it was just instinct. In 37 years, you go through trainings and drills and what you should do. That all goes out the window.”
According to an arrest affidavit, Hawkins entered the school at 2:19 pm armed with two semi-automatic pistols. He attempted to shoot one student, but one weapon malfunctioned. After fixing it, he spotted another student and fired. The second student pleaded for his life, and Hawkins eventually let both students flee through the southwest entrance. Moore then charged at the shooter and tackled him, pinning his face to the bench and removing the weapon. He and the assistant principal held Hawkins until authorities arrived. During the confrontation, Moore was shot in the leg.
The affidavit states that Hawkins “wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters did” and planned to kill students, Moore, other faculty, and himself. He allegedly obtained the weapons from his father’s closet. Hawkins has been charged with unlawful carry, shooting with intent to kill, and pointing a firearm.
In a heartwarming moment captured on video, Moore was later crowned prom king at a school dance, with students cheering and high-fiving him. Pauls Valley Police Chief Don May praised Moore, saying, “It doesn’t surprise me the actions that he took, but it is amazing. There’s not a doubt in my mind that he saved kids’ lives.” In a statement on Facebook, Moore expressed gratitude for the support he received, writing, “This support is the reason I am healthy and recovering today.”
