Harrowing security camera footage has been released showing the moment an Oklahoma high school principal was shot in the leg while stopping a would-be school shooter in his tracks.
On April 7, former student Victor Hawkins walked into the high school in Pauls Valley with a loaded gun. Within seconds, Hawkens was taking aim at two students, the footage shows.
Police allege Hawkins, 20, yelled for everyone to “get on the ground,” which prompted the two students to run for safety.
Out of nowhere, Principal Kirk Moore is seen entering the frame and rushing towards the gunman.
Moore tackled Hawkins on to a bench, but was shot in the leg as he ran up on the gunman.
The security camera footage then shows another staff member coming to help and removing the gun from Hawkins’ reach.
Investigators said Hawkins decided that very day to go to Pauls Valley High School to gun down students and faculty.
Afterwards, he planned to die by suicide, he told cops.
Hawkins allegedly explained he wanted to commit a school shooting “like the Columbine” killers and was planning to “kill the school’s principal.”
On April 20, 1999, seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went on a 16-minute shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Colorado. The pair murdered 13 students and one teacher before dying by suicide. The shooting also left 23 others wounded.
At the time, it was the deadliest shooting at a high school in American history, and may remain the most notorious.
Hawkins remains jailed on $1 million bond after being charged with two counts each of unlawful carry and pointing a firearm, one count of shooting with intent to kill.
It was unclear on Wednesday, April 15, if Hawkins had retained an attorney, and information on any pleas he may have entered was unavailable.
Hawkins is due back in court in May. A judge has barred him from contacting Moore, who was last listed in stable condition. Doctors expect he will recover from the shooting.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt hailed Moore’s heroic actions, saying the principal “acted bravely to protect students’ lives.” Stitt said in a post to X and that he and his wife, Sarah Hazen, were 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,” he said in the post.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation did not respond to Us Weekly’s requests for additional comment.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
