Security footage released this week shows the moment Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore confronted and tackled an armed former student, preventing what authorities describe as a potential mass shooting at the Oklahoma school.
The video, obtained by NBC affiliate KFOR, captures Principal Moore rushing the suspect as he entered the school lobby. The former student, identified as Victor Lee Hawkins, 20, was carrying a handgun. Moore struck the suspect in the chest with his full weight, tackling him onto a nearby bench and pinning him until help arrived. Moore was shot in the leg during the scuffle.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive advocates and Democratic policymakers have used the incident to renew calls for expanded gun safety legislation. 'Every day, educators are forced to be first responders because we have failed to pass common-sense gun laws,' said a spokesperson for the progressive education advocacy group Educators for Gun Safety. 'We need universal background checks, red flag laws, and strong safe storage requirements to prevent weapons from reaching people who pose a threat.'
Some Democratic legislators have also emphasized the need for increased federal funding for school mental health resources. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a leading voice on gun violence prevention, has argued that addressing the root causes of school shootings requires comprehensive investment in youth mental health services and early intervention programs.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative lawmakers and Second Amendment advocates have praised Principal Moore's heroism while resisting calls for new gun restrictions. 'This principal is a true hero who acted with incredible courage,' said a spokesperson for the National Rifle Association. 'The answer to preventing school shootings is not more gun control laws that only affect law-abiding citizens, but rather ensuring that schools have the resources to identify and respond to threats quickly.'
Republican legislators have pointed to Moore's actions as evidence of the importance of school safety training and threat assessment protocols. Several conservative commentators have noted that Moore's quick thinking and willingness to physically engage the attacker, despite being armed, demonstrates the kind of decisive action that can save lives when tragedy strikes.
What the Numbers Show
According to data from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, there have been 18 school shootings resulting in injuries or deaths in 2026. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that approximately 95% of public schools now conduct threat assessments, up from 78% in 2019. Oklahoma law allows licensed educators to carry concealed weapons on campus if they complete additional training, though Pauls Valley High School had not implemented such a program. Principal Moore had completed standard school safety training, according to district officials.
The Bottom Line
Principal Kirk Moore's actions likely prevented what could have been a significant loss of life at Pauls Valley High School. The incident, while not resulting in fatalities, adds to the ongoing national conversation about school safety and gun policy. Moore credited his training and 'God's hand' for enabling his response. The suspect remains in custody facing multiple charges. District officials have stated that Pauls Valley schools are 'safe communities unaccustomed to the type of threat' they witnessed, though the event has prompted discussions about enhanced security protocols at schools across Oklahoma.