Security footage shows principal tackle gunman at Oklahoma school
An Oklahoma principal is being hailed as a hero after tackling a gunman inside a high school earlier this month – a heart-stopping moment that was captured on video.
Authorities said 20-year-old Victor Hawkins allegedly entered Pauls Valley High School with a gun on April 7. Principal Kirk Moore subdued him before officials arrived on scene.
During the incident, Moore was shot in the leg and later treated at an area hospital for minor injuries. No one else was injured, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said in a news release.
Officials said Hawkins is a former student at the school, which is about 60 miles south of Oklahoma City. He was arrested at the scene and is facing charges including shooting with intent to kill, according to court records.
USA TODAY has reached out to Hawkins' lawyer for comment.
Security footage shows principal tackling gunman
Security camera footage released on April 14 shows the moment the suspect entered the school lobby carrying a gun.
At least two other people are in the lobby. Moore runs in and tackles him. A second school employee then walks in to help and takes the gun away from the man.
Officials said the school was placed on lockdown after the incident until the scene was cleared.
Afterward, Pauls Valley Public Schools Superintendent Brett Knight praised Moore's actions.
"I know the word gets thrown around quite a bit, but he is a hero today," Knight said at a news conference.
The Pauls Valley Police Department also credited "amazing heroic actions" that "saved lives" in a statement on social media.
Principal releases statement after shooting
On April 10, the school released a statement from Moore thanking the community for the outpouring of support.
"Like so many educators around the country, we prepare for these events through training and careful assessment of the threats," he said. "I am grateful that my instincts and training, as well as God’s hand, were available to me on Tuesday."
He continued: "I look forward to returning to work as soon as possible so that I may continue my life’s work educating the next generation of Oklahoma leaders. Until then, my thoughts are with our outstanding students, safe today in the arms of their families and friends."
Knight said Moore has worked in the district for more than three decades.
Alleged shooter wanted another 'Columbine,' affidavit says
According to an affidavit obtained by The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network, Hawkins allegedly told investigators he "wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters."
Twelve students and one teacher were killed in a shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, in 1999.
Hawkins allegedly told an OSBI special agent that he went to the high school with the intention of killing students, faculty and himself. He said that he took two of his father's guns and his pickup, then drove to the school, according to the affidavit.
Once Hawkins entered the school, according to the affidavit, he pointed a pistol and yelled for everyone to get on the ground. He then pointed the pistol at a student and pulled the trigger, but the gun had a malfunction and didn't fire.
Hawkins took cover behind a vending machine to clear the malfunction and stepped back out, pointing the gun at another student. He allegedly discharged the pistol but did not hit anyone.
"(The student) put his hands up and asked Hawkins not to shoot him," the affidavit states. "Hawkins lowered his weapon and told (the student) to leave."
Moore heard the gunfire from his office, and he rushed out in an attempt to apprehend Hawkins. During a struggle, Hawkins allegedly fired again, striking Moore in the leg. Moore and the school's assistant principal laid on top of Hawkins until law enforcement arrived.
Hawkins appeared in Garvin District Court on April 8 where his bond was set at $1 million. He remains in jail and has a preliminary hearing conference on May 8, according to court filings and inmate records.