An apparent school-shooter wannabe ended up behind bars on $1 million bond after being stunned by a sudden, and decisive, takedown by the school principal.
The school official, Kirk Moore, rushed the suspect, identified as Victor Lee Hawkins, 20, as Hawkins was entering a lobby area.
The principal tackled the suspect, throwing him on his back onto a bench, while holding his pistol-gripping hand so that he could not aim and shoot.
“What a HERO!” exclaimed journalist Nick Sortor. “Give this man an award. Absolute legend.”
WATCH:
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Newly-released surveillance video shows a high school principal in Oklahoma TACKLING a school shooter before he could open fire on kids
What a HERO!
Principal Kirk Moore RUSHED the shooter when he aimed at his first would-be victim, wresting the gun away from him.… pic.twitter.com/Z75dmXKFLw
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 14, 2026
The events developed just a couple days ago at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma.
A report from KFOR said the suspect was an “armed former student.”
The report said the suspect tried to shoot several students, taking a shot at one, but failing in another attempt because his gun jammed. Students then fled.
The report explained the arrest affidavit described how he walked into the main entrance carrying two loaded pistols.
Then Moore ran to the lobby to investigate, and Hawkins allegedly fired a shot as Moore came out of his office. The shot apparently hit Moore in the leg.
But Moore then tackled Hawkins, wrestling him onto a bench on the foyer. Hawkins eventually dropped a gun to the floor and another man picked it up.
The report said Hawkins admitted he wanted to conduct his own school shooting like Columbine.
The suspect is facing a long list of charges and next is scheduled to be in court May 8.
