The principal of Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, Kirk Moore, was praised for stopping a potential school shooting by confronting and disarming a former student armed with two semi-automatic handguns.

The attacker, identified as Victor Lee Hawkins, allegedly entered the school, fired shots, and attempted to target students before his weapon malfunctioned.

Moore was shot in the leg during the struggle but managed to subdue the suspect with help from another staff member.

Authorities said Hawkins, who was reportedly motivated by an obsession with the Columbine shooting, intended to kill students and staff before taking his own life, The Guardian has reported.

Officials credited Moore’s quick response and training with preventing a larger tragedy, and he is now recovering from his injury.