Kirk Moore, Principal Pauls Valley High School, OklahomaHe’s being hailed a hero after new video shows him solving the problem shooter before they shoot. KFOR reporters obtained the video, but it quickly went viral, with many praising Moore’s actions.
He tackled the former student who brought an object into the school. gunApril 7th. In the video, a man can be seen entering the lobby carrying what appears to be a gun. There were at least two other people in the hall. Moore then ran over and attacked him.
Another school staff member is then seen coming in to help and take the gun away from the former student. During the event, Moore was shot in the leg but survived.
Victor Hawkins was charged in the shooting and faces felony charges of shooting with intent to kill and discharging a firearm. He also faces misdemeanor charges of carrying a weapon into a public gathering.
As state officials hail Kirk Moore as a hero, here’s everything you need to know about Paul Valley High School’s principal.
Kirk Moore: 5 things to know about Paul Valley School principal
- Kirk Moore also attended Pauls Valley High School before becoming principal. He attended school there in 1984, according to his Facebook profile.
- Moore’s Facebook profile shows he is engaged and his family includes daughter Mackenzie Moore and son Tyson Moore. Erin Wallace is also listed as his daughter, Clint Moore is listed as his brother, and Linda is listed as his mother. One woman, Carolyn Staggs Stalcup, is listed as a “family member” on her profile.
- Moore is recovering from the shooting and said in a statement that he looks forward to returning to work. “Words alone cannot express how grateful I am for the outpouring of love and support from the Pauls Valley community. I am forever grateful for the support I received from those close to me and my new friends who wished me well in their prayers. This support is the reason I am healthy and well today,” Moore wrote in the statement.
- Many of Moore’s former students and old friends have nothing but praise for the man. “If a student was hurt, he would definitely take a bullet for him. I believe that,” a former student told KSL. A childhood friend commented: “He was a hero. He didn’t think about himself. He thought about the kids.”
- Moore’s Facebook profile provides insight into his thoughts and the people he admires. An Oklahoma school principal quoted John Wayne, known for his tough roles in Hollywood westerns. “Life is hard, and it’s even harder if you’re stupid,” read a quote posted on his social media profile.
Moore said in the remainder of the statement released after the shooting, “Paul Valley Schools are safe communities not accustomed to the type of threats we witnessed on Tuesday. Nonetheless, like many educators across the country, we prepare for these events through training and careful assessment of threats. I am grateful for my intuition and training and the hand of God that came to me on Tuesday.”
He added: “I sincerely thank the Pauls Valley Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Garvin County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ATF Agents, they responded and provided support. I am especially proud of this group of Pauls Valley alumni who selflessly serve our community and demonstrate the values of our school,” he continued. “I look forward to returning to work soon so I can continue my life’s work of educating the next generation of Oklahoma leaders. My thoughts are with our outstanding students, who are safely in the arms of their families and friends today.”
Meanwhile, Hawkins, 20, told investigators he wanted his school shooting to be “like the Columbine shooter.”
