Kirk Moore, the principal of Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, was crowned prom king last night by students grateful for his bravery in thwarting a potential mass shooting just 11 days earlier. The incident occurred on April 7 when 20-year-old former student Victor Lee Hawkins entered the building armed with two semi-automatic handguns shortly after 2:30pm.
Hawkins fired several shots in the lobby and threatened pupils before Moore intervened. The school is located about 60 miles south of Oklahoma City. Moore's swift response has been praised by authorities, and the students' decision to honour him with the prom king title has captured widespread attention across the United States.
Surveillance videofrom the school captured the dramatic sequence of events. Hawkins, who court documents describe as obsessed with the 1999 Columbine high school massacre, yelled for everyone to get on the ground upon entering the lobby. He pointed his pistol at a female student and pulled the trigger, but the weapon malfunctioned. He then aimed at a male student in the foyer.
Principal Moore, who had been in his office, charged at the gunman. Another member of staff assisted in the effort to wrestle the weapon away. During the struggle Moore was shot in the leg. Hawkins was eventually subdued and taken into custody. Pauls Valley police chief Don May in an NBC News interview commented on the principal's actions, saying: 'There's not a doubt in my mind that he saved kids' lives.'
Moore was treated for the injury and made a point of returning to school as soon as possible, eager to support the students and staff affected by the ordeal. Authorities stated that his intervention prevented a possible mass shooting.
The senior prom last night provided the perfect opportunity for the student body to show their appreciation. They voted overwhelmingly for Moore as prom king. When localDJ Burk Ozbirntook to the microphone to announce the winner, the reaction was immediate and enthusiastic.
Principal Kirk Moore was already being hailed as a hero after authorities said he stopped a mass shooting at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma. Now he's being hailed as prom king. “We announced Principal Moore being the king, and the place went nuts,” said Burk Ozbirn, a local DJ who made the announcement on Friday night. Moore was shot in the leg when he charged and took down an armed former student who intended to carry out a mass shooting at the school, according to authorities.
Ozbirn later described the scene, recalling: 'We announced Principal Moore being the king, and the place went nuts.'
As Moore entered the venue, the opening bars of Nickelback'sHeroplayed. Students cheered, high-fived their principal and watched as the crown was placed on his head. The moment was captured on video and shared widely.
OneInstagram reelnoted how the students honoured their principal after he risked his life to protect them.
Source: International Business Times UK
