Principal hailed as hero by parents, officials after stopping shooting at Pauls Valley High School
By Austin Hedgcoth
Published on April 9, 2026.
A former student at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, Victor Hawkins, 20, opened fire in the school lobby with two semi-automatic pistols he stole from his father's closet. Hawkins then pointed the gun at a girl and tried to fire, but the weapon malfunctioned when Hawkins pointed it at the girl and then pointed it towards another student. Principal Kirk Moore tackled Hawkins, disarming him, and holding him down until police arrived. Hawkins was arrested and booked into the Garvin County jail on several weapons-related charges, including one count of shooting with intent to kill and two counts each of unlawful carry and pointing a firearm. Despite the tragedy, the community of Pauls Valley remains optimistic about moving forward.
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