A 15-year-old DeSoto boy shot by his mother's estranged husband was resting and recovering after surgery Friday morning.
Police said Richard Richard shot Corey Dooley; his brother, Cody; and his mother, Nicole Rishard, on Wednesday night.
South Grand Prairie High School classmates are praying and playing for Dooley, who is the son of an NBC 5 photographer.
The Warrior Nation wore red for Dooley and held a moment of silence during Friday night's away football game in Mansfield for the sophomore, a junior varsity player. Students are also writing heartfelt messages for a speedy recovery.
“I just hope you feel better, and I’m praying for you and your family," Kamiryn Emmons said. "And I'm sorry you had to go through what you did."
She said she can’t imagine what Dooley endured. He was shot in the chest, hip, back and stomach. Police said he was ambushed as he, his mom and brother pulled into their garage Wednesday night.
The family believes Richard was angry over his pending divorce from Rishard.
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"Any time you walk into an ICU room and you see a 15-year-old laying there, it's gut-wrenching," said Donna Grant, South Prairie High School principal.
Grant, who visited Dooley in the hospital, said his family told her the popular sophomore still has to have one more surgery.
"He's a fighter, and I told the staff, 'It makes sense, because we're warriors,'" Grant said.
In the meantime, students are donning school colors in his honor.
"We're all wearing red and white for him," Emmons said.
The color purple is also taking on special meaning for many.
"It's also Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, and purple is their symbol, so the wristbands are going to be purple and they're going to say 'Warrior Nation Prays and Plays for Corey,'" Grant said.
Classmates can't wait to have their friend back.
"He is the funniest kid ever," Emmons said. "He can put a smile on your face no matter what, and he has the biggest heart. He knows everybody, and he loves everybody, and everybody loves him."
Next week is homecoming. South Grand Prairie plans to dedicate the week's festivities and big home game to Dooley.
