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Principal Takes Bullet, Stops School Massacre
3 May
Summary
- Principal Kirk Moore was shot in the leg confronting a gunman.
- The suspect's weapon malfunctioned, preventing immediate tragedy.
- Students honored their heroic principal by naming him prom king.
On April 7, at Pauls Valley High School, Principal Kirk Moore exhibited extraordinary courage when a 20-year-old former student entered the building with two semiautomatic handguns, allegedly intending to carry out a mass shooting. Moore recounted his split-second decision to act, driven by an instinct to protect.
During the tense confrontation, the suspect pointed a weapon at a student, but a fortunate malfunction prevented immediate firing. Moore seized the opportunity, tackling the gunman as he began shooting into the floor, with bullets ricocheting. Despite being wounded in the leg, Moore successfully disarmed the assailant.
Colleagues and students have lauded Moore's bravery, with Coach Mark Green asserting that his actions undoubtedly saved lives. In a poignant tribute, the student body voted Moore prom king, an honor he described as a "very sweet" gesture, deeply touching him and students like Rachel Hamilton, who felt it was "good to the soul."
The suspect, Victor Hawkins, faces multiple charges including unlawful carry and shooting with intent to kill, to which he has pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8.
