The Oklahoma high school principal who was shot while tackling an armed intruder on campus was honored by his students as prom king in a powerful display of gratitude and respect.
Kirk Moore, principal of Pauls Valley High School, received a moving tribute during the schools prom last Friday, as reported by The Post Millennial. Moore, who was injured earlier this month while confronting an armed former student, was greeted with loud applause as the DJ introduced him as our king and played the song Hero by Nickelback.
Students surrounded their principal, cheering and jumping in celebration as they placed a kings hat on his head. The moment underscored how a community can rally around courage and moral clarity in the face of violence.
The recognition followed the release of surveillance footage showing Moore charging at 20-year-old Victor Lee Hawkins, who had entered the school with two pistols. Hawkins had reportedly walked into the school lobby, pointed a pistol at a student, and was met by Moore, who rushed in to confront the threat.
As Hawkins turned the weapon on him, Moore tackled the suspect but was shot in the leg during the struggle. Another staff member quickly stepped in to help restrain Hawkins until police arrived and took him into custody.
According to KFOR, court documents revealed that Hawkins told police he didnt like Principal Moore and said he went to the school to kill him. Investigators further noted that Hawkins was reportedly inspired by the Columbine shooters and intended to carry out a similar attack.
Moore was hospitalized after the shooting but has since recovered, returning as a living reminder of the importance of decisive action in protecting students. Officials credited his bravery, with Hunter McKee of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation stating, The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today, a sobering acknowledgment that, without such courage, a routine school day could have turned into a national tragedy.
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