Principal Honored at Prom After Disarming Armed Intruder
Kirk Moore, the principal of Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, was crowned prom king by his students on Friday night as a tribute to his courageous actions during an armed attack at the school.
The event took place at the Pauls Valley High School prom, where students voted to honor Moore for his bravery in defending them from an intruder wielding firearms.
During the ceremony, an announcer declared,
“Ladies and gentlemen, our king.”Video footage captured the moment as students cheered and congratulated Moore, with some high-fiving him. One clip showed Moore entering to the tune of Nickelback’s song Hero, famously known as the theme for the 2002 film Spider-Man.
As a crown was placed on Moore’s head, the chorus of the song played:
“And they say that a hero can save us / I’m not going to stand here and wait.”
Details of the Incident
The celebratory moment followed a harrowing incident that occurred on 7 April at approximately 2:30 pm at Pauls Valley High School, located about 60 miles (96.6 km) south of Oklahoma City.
Investigators reported that the alleged attacker, Victor Lee Hawkins, entered the school armed with two semi-automatic handguns and fired several shots before being disarmed by Moore and another staff member who responded to the situation. The school’s surveillance cameras recorded the intrusion.
Special Agent Meric Mussett of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation detailed the events in a sworn police statement, explaining that Hawkins
“entered the school, pointed his pistol, and yelled for everyone to get on the ground.”
The statement further noted that Hawkins aimed his gun at a female student in the lobby and pulled the trigger, but the weapon malfunctioned.
Mussett’s statement continued:
“Hawkins then stepped out from behind the vending machine and pointed his gun at a male student in the foyer. Principal Moore then came out of his office and charged at Hawkins.”
During the confrontation, Moore was shot in the leg while wrestling the attacker. Court documents describe Hawkins, aged 20, as having an obsession with the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Colorado, where 12 students and one teacher were killed.
Community and Official Reactions
Authorities commended Moore’s quick and brave response, crediting him with preventing a potential mass shooting and saving many lives.
Don May, chief of the Pauls Valley Police Department, stated:
“It doesn’t surprise me the actions that he took, but it is amazing, the actions that he took. There’s not a doubt in my mind that he saved kids’ lives.”
Investigations revealed that the alleged attacker was a former student of Pauls Valley High School.
Moore’s Statement
In a statement provided to NBC, Moore expressed gratitude for the support he received following the incident.
He said:
“Like so many educators around the country, we prepare for these events through training and careful assessment of the threats. I am grateful that my instincts and training, as well as God’s hand, were available to me.”
The principal’s actions and the community’s recognition highlight the critical role of preparedness and courage in ensuring school safety.
