An Oklahoma high school principal, celebrated for his bravery in confronting a school shooter, was honored as prom king in a moving tribute from his students, captured in a heartwarming video.
Kirk Moore, the principal of Pauls Valley High School, received this touching honor during a prom night ceremony just weeks after he was wounded while courageously subduing a former student who had entered the school armed with two semi-automatic handguns.
The video, which has since gained widespread attention, shows Moore making his way through a cheering crowd of students, exchanging high-fives, as the DJ announced him as “our king” and played Nickelback’s “Hero” in his honor.
At 60 years old, Moore was beaming with joy as he accepted the crown, surrounded by a throng of applauding students who danced and celebrated around him, as seen in the emotionally charged footage.
The principal was praised for his swift action that averted a potential tragedy. Surveillance video revealed Moore bravely confronting 20-year-old gunman Victor Lee Hawkins, just seconds after Hawkins aimed a gun at a student in the school lobby on April 7.
Moore, who has been with the district for over 35 years, responded immediately upon hearing the disturbance. As he reached the scene, Hawkins turned the weapon on him, firing a shot before Moore heroically tackled him.
The life-saving principal shoved the armed attacker toward a bench and pinned him down, as the terrified student fled and Hawkins dropped the gun.
Another staffer sprinted to the harrowing scene, helping keep Hawkins subdued until police arrived and took him into custody.
The crazed gunman allegedly told cops he “didn’t like Principal Moore” and “went to the school to “kill him,” according to court documents reviewed by KFOR.
Hawkins also reportedly admitted to stealing the guns from his dad, telling investigators he “wanted to conduct his own school shooting like the Columbine shooters did,” referring to the 1999 massacre that left 14 victims dead.
“The actions of the staff and the principal stepping in as soon as they saw a subject with a firearm saved lives today,” Hunter McKee, of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, said.
Hawkins was hit with shooting with intent to kill and other firearm-related offenses.
He is due back in court on May 8.
