Watch: Moment gunman tackled by school principal
Watch: High School Principal Confronts Active Shooter in Oklahoma
CCTV footage captures a high school principal in Oklahoma engaging an active shooter during a tense confrontation. Victor Hawkins, the suspect, entered Pauls Valley High School on 7 April and began firing. Principal Kirk Moore charges at Hawkins, seizing him mid-attack before a staff member intervenes to disarm the individual. Moore sustained a leg injury during the struggle but has since recovered and been discharged from the hospital. Hawkins was apprehended on-site and now faces multiple charges, including unlawful firearm possession and attempted homicide.
Artemis II Crew Breaks Distance Record in Lunar Mission
The Artemis II astronauts, aboard the Orion spacecraft, set a new record for Earth departure distance during their nine-day lunar voyage. Their journey surpassed prior milestones, achieving a record of 248,655 miles (400,171 km) set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. The crew remains en route to further exploration. Astronaut Christina Koch shared a message via video link:
“It is so great to hear from Earth again.”
Meanwhile, Reid Wiseman, the mission commander, lost his wife to cancer in 2020 at the age of 46.
Unrelated Incidents Highlight Diverse Events
In Tampa, a homeowner called police after spotting a nine-foot alligator in their pool area. Specialists swiftly removed the reptile without incident. Separately, the Great Marshmallow Drop event saw over 15,000 fluffy treats released from a helicopter, sparking a playful race among participants. The crew of Artemis II, however, will not land on the Moon this time, though NASA aims to achieve a lunar touchdown by 2028.
Notable Moments in Space and Politics
A Canadian prime minister joined a team on the ice rink during a bilateral visit with the Finnish president. The same leader also spoke with BBC Science Editor Rebecca Morelle ahead of the Artemis II crew’s anticipated splashdown. On a commercial flight, passengers were offered a rare view of the launch of NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in 50 years, as Morelle observed from just three miles away the most powerful rocket ever built.