Watch: Moment gunman tackled by school principal
Watch: Principal’s Heroic Action Halts Active Shooter in Oklahoma
Closed-circuit television captured the dramatic moment a high school principal intervened against an active shooter at Pauls Valley High School. The incident occurred on 7 April when Victor Hawkins, the assailant, entered the school and began firing. Principal Kirk Moore charged forward, seizing the opportunity to confront the former student, and tackled him before a colleague arrived to disarm him. Moore sustained a leg injury during the struggle but has since recovered and been discharged from the hospital.
Gunman Arrested, Faces Multiple Charges
Hawkins was apprehended at the scene and is now charged with two counts of firearm pointing, one of attempted homicide, and two of unlawful weapon possession. The footage highlights Moore’s swift response, showcasing the principal’s courage in neutralizing the threat.
Artemis II Crew Sets New Space Milestone
Meanwhile, the Artemis II astronauts achieved a historic feat during their 10-day mission, breaking the previous record for distance from Earth set by Apollo 13 in 1970. The crew, aboard the Orion spacecraft, traveled 248,655 miles (400,171km) beyond the old benchmark, continuing their journey to the Moon’s far side. Astronaut Christina Koch expressed relief upon reestablishing contact:
“It is so great to hear from Earth again.”
Jeremy Hansen became the first Canadian to venture into deep space as part of the Artemis II mission, a milestone celebrated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who joined the Ottawa Charge team alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinistö during his inaugural bilateral visit. The crew’s activities included simulated spacecraft maneuvers, while families received updates via video links. Despite not landing on the Moon this time, the mission marks a critical step toward NASA’s goal of returning humans to the lunar surface by 2028.
Other Notable Events
During a separate incident in Tampa, a homeowner discovered a nine-foot alligator in his pool area, prompting police to remove the creature. Meanwhile, over 15,000 marshmallows were dropped from a helicopter during the annual Great Marshmallow Drop, drawing children’s attention. The launch of NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in five decades was also witnessed by the BBC’s Science Editor Rebecca Morelle, who observed it from just three miles away, describing the spectacle of the most powerful rocket ever built lifting off from Florida.
Commercial flight passengers were granted a rare view of the historic launch, which followed delays and technical challenges. The mission is currently in Earth’s orbit, setting the stage for future lunar landings and advancing space exploration efforts.
