THIS is the jaw-dropping moment a school principal boldly tackles a school shooter as he prepares to open fire on students.
Breathtaking CCTV footage shows the hooded gunman enter the school lobby, brandishing a pistol in hand.
The gunman walks in the lobby at Pauls Valley High School only to be tackled from behindCredit: X
School principal Kirk Moore tackled the gunman onto a bench, desperately trying to remove the gun from his graspCredit: X
The gunman was revealed to be former pupil Victor Lee HawkinsCredit: Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
A man suddenly appears, tackling the shooter onto a nearby bench.
With his hand firmly clasped around the suspect‘s wrist, the heroic individual desperately calls for help.
Another member of staff quickly arrives as the suspect finally lets go of the weapon.
In the aftermath of the harrowing ordeal, it was revealed the selfless act was carried out by the school’s principal Kirk Moore.
During the confrontation with the suspect, Moore sustained a bullet wound to the leg and was subsequently hospitalised.
Moore has since expressed his gratitude for the “outpouring of love and support” following the incident at Pauls Valley High School last Tuesday.
The principal added that he is “healthy and recovering” and looks forward to returning to work as soon as he is able to do so.
In an arrest affidavit, investigators said Victor Lee Hawkins walked into the lobby of the school armed with two automatic handguns.
The 20-year-old told everyone to get on the ground before trying to shoot one student, only to be thwarted by a malfunctioning weapon.
After clearing the blockage, Hawkins opened fire on another student but missed.
The two students then pleaded for mercy and were allowed to leave just as Moore tackled Hawkins from behind.
A former pupil at the school, Hawkins, described Moore as someone he “did not like”, according to prosecutors.
He allegedly said he “wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters did” – referring to a deadly high school massacre back in 1999.
Investigators say Hawkins admitted to going to school equipped with two firearms belonging to his father.
They further allege that he took them without his parent’s permission.
The affidavit then claims his intention was to kill both students and faculty members.
Once this was completed, he planned to kill Moore and then turn the gun on himself, the affidavit said.
Pauls Valley Chief Don May said Moore’s selfless act likely thwarted a tragedy.
“It doesn’t surprise me the actions that he took, but it is amazing, the actions that he took,” he said.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he saved kids’ lives.”
Hawkins has since been taken into custody at the Garvin County Detention Center with a $1 million bail bond.
According to court documents, he has been charged with shooting with intent to kill, feloniously pointing a firearm and carrying a weapon to a public assembly.
Hawkins is now scheduled to appear in court on May 8 for a preliminary hearing.
With the help of another member of staff, the pair were able to remove the gun from Hawkins’ graspCredit: X
Moore sustained a gun wound to the leg and is now recovering in hospitalCredit: Refer to source
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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