A Hero Principal’s Story: How One Man’s Courage Saved Lives During a School Shooting

When Instinct Takes Over in the Face of Danger

Kirk Moore, the 60-year-old principal of Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, never imagined that an ordinary day at work would transform into a life-threatening situation that would test every ounce of his courage. On what seemed like just another typical day at the school, Moore was going about his regular duties when suddenly, the unmistakable sound of gunfire shattered the normalcy. “It was a typical day until the gunshot outside of my office,” Moore recalled in an exclusive interview with CBS News. “There was no denying what it was.” In that split second, when most people’s survival instincts would tell them to run away from danger, Moore did the opposite. Drawing upon 37 years of experience in education, he rushed toward the sound of gunfire, confronting a gunman who had entered the school building. The shooter was later identified as Victor Hawkins, a 20-year-old former student who had returned to the school with violent intentions.

What happened next was a remarkable display of selfless heroism that undoubtedly saved countless lives. Moore’s decision to tackle the gunman wasn’t the result of carefully thought-out planning or following protocol—it was pure instinct. “In 37 years, you go through trainings and drills and what you should do. That all goes out the window,” Moore explained with characteristic humility. “I can’t explain why I did what I did. I think many, many people would have done the same thing. They just don’t realize it.” As Moore grappled with Hawkins, they both fell onto a padded bench area in the school. During the struggle, Hawkins continued firing his weapon, but mercifully, the bullets struck only the floor. It wasn’t until Moore managed to stand up after subduing the gunman that he realized something was wrong. “Once I got stood up, I felt the warmth of the blood and then, I knew I’d been hit,” he said. In the chaos and adrenaline of the moment, Moore hadn’t even realized he had been shot. But thanks to his quick action and incredible bravery, not a single student or faculty member was injured during the incident—a fact that makes his actions all the more extraordinary.

The Comfort of Community in Crisis

In the aftermath of the shooting, as Moore received medical treatment for his injuries, he found himself surrounded by familiar and comforting faces. The first responders who rushed to help him weren’t strangers but former students who had gone on to careers in emergency services. “My MediFlight nurse, all of the firemen, police officers – former students. And it’s so comforting seeing those faces rather than strangers,” Moore shared. This touching detail speaks volumes about the kind of educator and community member Moore has been throughout his long career. The fact that so many of his former students chose careers in public service and were there to help him in his moment of need demonstrates the lasting impact he’s had on generations of young people. It’s a poignant reminder that schools aren’t just buildings where education happens—they’re communities where relationships are formed that last a lifetime. Moore’s 37-year career had touched countless lives, and now those same lives were there to support him when he needed it most.

The response from the community extended far beyond those first moments of emergency care. In the weeks following the incident, Moore received an overwhelming outpouring of support from around the world. Thank you letters poured in from people who had heard about his heroic actions and wanted to express their gratitude. Among the most moving correspondence was a letter from a family who had experienced the unimaginable tragedy of losing a child in a school shooting. They wrote to Moore: “We are writing to honor your extraordinary valor when violence threatened the lives of those entrusted to your care, you did not hesitate. In doing so, you spare countless mothers and fathers the lifelong agony that we now endure.” These words carry a weight that’s impossible to fully comprehend unless you’ve lived through such a loss. This family’s letter represents all the parents whose children came home safely that day because of Moore’s actions—parents who will never have to experience the devastating grief that comes with losing a child to school violence.

Recognition and Redirected Generosity

Perhaps one of the most heartwarming displays of appreciation came from the students themselves. Just a few weeks after the shooting, Pauls Valley High School held its annual prom, and the students made a special decision. In a touching gesture that surely brought tears to many eyes, they crowned their principal as prom king. This honor, traditionally reserved for a popular student, was given to the man who had literally put his life on the line to protect them. It’s difficult to imagine a more meaningful recognition than being celebrated by the very students whose lives you saved. The image of Principal Moore wearing that prom crown represents so much more than a simple award—it’s a symbol of the deep bond between a dedicated educator and the young people in his care.

The recognition didn’t stop there. A GoFundMe page was created to help Moore with his recovery expenses, and the response was tremendous. In just one month, more than $20,000 was donated by people who wanted to support this everyday hero. But in a move that perfectly captures Moore’s character, he chose to redirect all that money away from himself. Instead, he asked that the funds be used to establish the “Principal Kirk Moore Fund” at Pauls Valley High School. This fund will specifically support graduating students, providing them with gifts as they complete their high school journey. “It’s gonna be money that will be a graduation gift for kids that stuck it out,” Moore explained. “It’s gonna be a nice graduation gift that you did it and reward them for that.” Even after being shot while protecting his school, Moore’s first thought was how he could use this situation to benefit his students.

An Overwhelming Wave of Corporate Support

The community support was further amplified when major companies stepped forward with significant contributions. Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, OERB (Oklahoma Energy Resources Board), The People of Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas, and Hobby Lobby collectively donated $50,000 to the Principal Kirk Moore Fund. “That’s awesome,” Moore said when told about the donation, his characteristic humility shining through once again. These corporate contributions will ensure that Moore’s legacy at Pauls Valley High School continues to benefit students for years to come. The fund will serve as a lasting reminder of the day their principal showed extraordinary courage, and it will help deserving graduates as they take their next steps in life. This kind of community and corporate response demonstrates something beautiful about human nature—when we witness genuine heroism and selflessness, we want to honor it in meaningful ways. These companies could have donated to many causes, but they chose to support Moore’s vision of helping students, multiplying the impact of his heroic actions far beyond that single day.

Complex Feelings Toward the Shooter

The shooter, Victor Hawkins, was arrested at the scene and now faces multiple serious charges, including shooting with intent to kill. He has entered a plea of not guilty and remains in custody on $1 million bond. What makes this situation particularly complex is that Hawkins was a former student at Pauls Valley High School, though Moore said he never had disciplinary interactions with him during his time there. In a remarkable display of compassion that might seem impossible to many people, Moore says he thinks about Hawkins often. “I feel like we need to pray for that kid as much as we pray for anybody,” Moore said. “I think he was just in a bad spot at that time.” These words reveal something profound about Moore’s character. Despite being shot by this young man, despite the trauma inflicted on the entire school community, Moore still sees Hawkins as someone worthy of compassion and prayer—as someone who was struggling and made a terrible choice.

This perspective is extraordinary and speaks to Moore’s deep sense of humanity and perhaps his faith, as he mentioned believing that “God’s hand was on all of us” during the incident. While Hawkins must face the legal consequences of his actions, Moore’s willingness to express concern for the young man’s wellbeing reminds us that even in situations involving violence, the people involved are complex human beings with their own stories and struggles. This doesn’t excuse what happened, but it does reflect a mature understanding that hurt people sometimes hurt people, and that the cycle can only be broken through compassion alongside accountability. Moore’s response challenges us to think about how we view people who commit violent acts—not to excuse their behavior, but to recognize that addressing the root causes of violence requires us to see everyone’s humanity.

Lessons in True Heroism and Service

Kirk Moore’s story offers us several important lessons about heroism, education, and community. First, it reminds us that heroes aren’t always the people we might expect—they’re often ordinary people who do extraordinary things when circumstances demand it. Moore didn’t consider himself special or different from anyone else; he simply acted on instinct to protect the young people in his care. Second, his story highlights the crucial role that educators play in our society. Teachers and administrators don’t just impart academic knowledge—they serve as guardians, mentors, and sometimes, as in this case, literal protectors of our children. Moore’s 37-year career in education clearly wasn’t just a job; it was a calling, and his actions that day were the ultimate expression of his dedication to his students.

Furthermore, Moore’s decision to redirect financial support toward his students rather than keeping it for himself demonstrates what true servant leadership looks like. Even after being shot, his focus remained on the young people he serves. This selflessness extends even to his perspective on the shooter, showing us that it’s possible to maintain one’s humanity and compassion even in the face of violence. As school shootings continue to be a tragic reality in America, Kirk Moore’s story gives us a glimmer of hope—not because violence was prevented (though that’s certainly something to be grateful for), but because it shows us what dedication, courage, and genuine care for others look like in action. His story will undoubtedly inspire countless others, especially those in education, and the fund bearing his name will continue to benefit students for generations, ensuring that one moment of extraordinary courage creates ripples of positive impact for years to come.