Heart-stopping video shows a heroic Oklahoma high school principal tackling a Columbine-obsessed ex-student moments after allegedly being shot.

Kirk Moore, 60, charged at 20-year-old Victor Lee Hawkins, who was armed with two loaded semi-automatic pistols, in the lobby of Pauls Valley High School last Tuesday afternoon, according to surveillance footage obtained by KOCO.

Moore, the only person injured as Hawkins opened fire inside the school, was hailed for his bravery and preventing a tragedy on a much larger scale.

Surveillance footage shows a man in a black hoodie holding a gun, pointing it at another man in a blue shirt and light-colored pants.
School shooter Victor Lee Hawkins pointing his weapon at principal Kirk Moore.KOCO 5 News / YouTube

Principal Kirk Moore tackling a school shooter.
Moore, who was allegedly shot by the gunman, bravely tackled him onto a bench.KOCO 5 News / YouTube
Hawkins allegedly told investigators he “didn’t like Principal Moore” and “went to the school to kill” him. He ordered everyone to get on the floor before trying to fire at one student in the lobby, court documents seen by KFOR revealed.

The crazed gunman’s weapon malfunctioned before he aimed his pistol at another student, who begged him not to open fire.

Moore, who has worked in the school district for more than 35 years, rushed to the school lobby to investigate the commotion.

Hawkins was seen pointing his weapon at Moore’s head and firing a shot, which struck the educator’s right leg, before he was tackled.


The principal shoved the gunman toward a bench before getting on top of him, while the terrified student fled.

Moore pinned down Hawkins’ right hand, stopping him from firing his pistol before the weapon dropped onto the floor.

Another adult male, wearing a red shirt and beige pants, sprinted into frame before helping Moore and kicking the gun away.

Pauls Valley High School principal Kirk Moore tackling a school shooter.
Another staffer helped the principal.KOCO 5 News / YouTube

Principal Kirk Moore and other staff members tackling a school shooter.
The gunman dropped his weapon, which was picked up by the staffer.KOCO 5 News / YouTube
Hunter McKee, of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, praised Moore and staffers for their quick-thinking response, saying, “The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today.”

Brett Knight, the Pauls Valley superintendent, described Moore as a “hero,” The Oklahoman reported.

“He’s actually been a mentor to me,” he told 9News.

“He was kinda (the) one that kind of helped me when I was first hired.”

Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore, who was shot while stopping a gunman.
Moore was hailed for his bravery.Pauls Valley High School
Councilman Kahn Nirschl said he was “so appreciative” of Moore’s intervention.

“He undoubtedly saved lives today through his actions,” he said.

Hawkins admitted to stealing the guns from his dad and told investigators he “wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters did,” referring to the 1999 massacre that left 14 victims dead.

Mugshot of Victor Hawkins, the man accused of shooting Principal Kirk Moore.
Hawkins told investigators he wanted to carry out a Columbine-like massacre.Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

The latest Columbine victim, Anne Marie Hochhalter, who was left paralyzed after being shot, died in February last year.

Hawkins has been charged with shooting with intent to kill and other firearm-related charges, and will appear in court on May 8.

Meanwhile, Moore said he’s “healthy and recovering” after being hospitalized.