Oklahoma School Principal Tackles Active Shooter
CCTV footage captures a critical moment at Pauls Valley High School as a principal confronts an active shooter. Victor Hawkins, a former student, entered the school on 7 April and opened fire. Principal Kirk Moore charges toward the assailant, successfully disarming him before another staff member intervenes. Moore sustained a leg injury during the encounter and was discharged from the hospital. Hawkins was apprehended on-site and charged with multiple offenses, including two counts of pointing a firearm and one of attempted homicide.
Artemis II Crew Sets New Lunar Record
The Artemis II astronauts, aboard the Orion spacecraft, have surpassed previous milestones in space exploration. Their nine-day journey placed them farther from Earth than any humans in history, breaking a record of 248,655 miles (400,171km) set by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. Christina Koch, an astronaut on the mission, shared a rare update:
“It is so great to hear from Earth again.”
The crew, currently on their third day orbiting the Moon’s far side, has not yet landed but is preparing for future missions. Commander Reid Wiseman’s wife passed away from cancer in 2020 at age 46.
Other Recent Developments
In Tampa, a homeowner discovered a nine-foot alligator in their pool area, prompting police to remove the animal. Meanwhile, the annual Great Marshmallow Drop saw over 15,000 fluffy treats dropped from a helicopter as children raced to collect them. The Canadian prime minister joined the Ottawa Charge team during a bilateral visit with the Finnish president, while Jeremy Hansen became the first Canadian astronaut to venture into deep space as part of Artemis II.
US Lunar Ambitions and Mission Milestones
Following the successful launch of NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in 50 years, the Orion spacecraft has been tested for maneuvers and orbital adjustments. The mission’s crew, including Hansen and Koch, will likely splash down on Saturday. A commercial flight witnessed passengers getting an up-close view of the launch from just three miles away. The United States aims to establish its first lunar landing by 2028, with Artemis II serving as a key step toward that goal.
