Video shows 'brave' US high school principal tackling armed man in school

The moment Kirk Moore tackled the shooter

A new video shows the moment a headteacher of an Oklahoma high school was shot in the leg as he tackled an armed man.

Security camera video from inside the Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma showed the suspect, former student Victor Hawkins, enter the school shortly before 2.20pm on April 8 with a firearm.

Hawkins, 20, appeared to point and fire a gun before slowly walking into the lobby.

As Hawkins points the gun at someone sitting on a bench in the lobby, principal Kirk Moore is seen coming out of a closed door and tackling the former student onto the ground.

At one point, the gun was pointed directly at Moore’s head before it was tackled out of his hands and kicked away by bystanders.

The gun was later kicked away from the attacker as he was restrained. / Credit: CNN

At some point during the incident, Moore was shot in the leg. He was flown to OU Health in Oklahoma City, where he was treated and released a few days later.

Moore, who is recovering at home, has since expressed gratitude for “an outpouring of love and support”.

In a statement, he credited the training that many educators in the US must undertake to prepare for school shootings for his quick reaction.

“Like so many educators around the country, we prepare for these events through training and careful assessment of the threats,” he said.

“I am grateful that my instincts and training, as well as God’s hand, were available to me.”

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt praised Moore, writing on X: “Principal Moore acted bravely to protect students’ lives. Sarah and I are praying for his quick recovery. I’m thankful for the swift response from law enforcement and school staff, and I’m grateful no students were harmed.”

Hawkins has been charged with two counts of pointing a firearm, one count of shooting with intent to kill, and two counts of unlawful carry.

Court documents state that Hawkins intended to commit a mass shooting at the school and admitted that he was influenced by the Columbine school shooting.

During an arraignment on Wednesday, Hawkins told a judge he had every intention of going inside the school to shoot students, faculty, and then himself.

Hawkins is expected back in court on May 8.