A high school principal in Oklahoma is being hailed for saving lives after he tackled a gunman who entered the school to open fire on students. CCTV images show the gunman entering the premises of the school building shortly before the principal wrestled him to the ground. A second school official kicks his gun away before taking picking it up from the ground.

According to an arrest affidavit, Pauls Valley High School Principal Kirk Moore was shot in the leg but continued to pin the gunman down till law enforcement officials arrived on the scene.

The gunman, Victor Lee Hawkins, was a former student of the school who had graduated in May 2025 and "did not like" Moore, the affidavit stated.

Inspired by the 1999 Columbine shootings, Hawkins entered the school with two loaded semi-automatic pistols with the intention of killing students, teachers and ultimately himself.

No students were injured in the attack. Hawkins has been charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm, shooting with intent to kill and pointing a firearm, according to the affidavit.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

A school principal in Oklahoma tackled a gunman and pinned him to the ground before he could open fire. Video credit: Pauls Valley Public Schools/TMX

VIDEO SHOWS: CCTV VIDEO OF PRINCIPAL TACKLING GUNMAN

-Room layout, flooring, cabinets, wall displays, doors and windows match file imagery

- Date confirmed by video timestamp and official report on incident

SHOWS: PAULS VALLEY, OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES (RECENT- APRIL 7, 2026) (Pauls Valley Public Schools/TMX - No Resale / No Archive / Must on-screen courtesy Pauls Valley Public Schools/TMX)

1. CCTV VIDEO SHOWING GUNMAN ENTERING THE SCHOOL

2. PRINCIPAL TACKLING THE GUNMAN TO THE GROUND

3. A SECOND PERSON TAKING AWAY THE GUNMAN'S WEAPON