Principal thwarts attempted mass shooting at Oklahoma high school

Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore was injured Tuesday while stopping a mass shooting at an Oklahoma school, and the suspect has been arrested.

Former 20-year-old student Victor Hawkins allegedly opened fire on a couple of students at the local high school, and was armed with two semi-automatic handguns. 

Hawkins allegedly attempted to shoot two students, but his gun malfunctioned on the first student and he missed the second. Moore was the only person injured in the shooting, when he was shot in the leg while trying to wrestle the gun from Hawkins. He is expected to make a full recovery, according to the Daily Wire.

“Principal Moore acted bravely to protect students’ lives,” Oklahoma GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “Sarah and I are 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.”

Hawkins allegedly told Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigators that his intent had been to shoot students, members of the faculty, and eventually himself. 

The shooter said his main target was the principal and that he “wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters did.”

Hawkins has been charged with shooting with intent to kill, two counts of pointing a firearm and two counts of unlawful carry. He is being held on $1 million bond.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.