Community, gym comes together to support Fairview shooting survivors

ENID, Okla. (KFOR) – A jiu-jitsu community in Enid is showing its support for a Fairview shooting victim who trained at their gym.

Dylan Smith, owner of Shah Mat Jiu Jitsu, said that 13-year-old Drake Archuleta has been training at the gym for the past three months.

“You could tell he wanted to be here. You could tell he wanted to get better every time he was here,” said Smith. “Just the effort that he showed was pretty unmatched.”

Archuleta was shot multiple times at his home on Saturday. His sister, Violet, and father, David, died. His mother, Laura, was also shot several times but survived. Sources told News 4 the father shot his three family members before turning the gun on himself.

Now, two communities are coming forward to do what they can for the two survivors.

News of the shooting was a shock to Smith.

“I’m going to try not to get emotional, but he is a pretty special kid,” said Smith, sharing memories of the young teenager he coached.

Smith said Archuleta’s mother, Laura, called him from the hospital the day after the tragic incident.

“She just wanted to make sure that I knew how much me and the other coaches and his teammates and the program meant to Drake,” said Smith.

He said that was the moment he vowed to do everything he could to help the family. He started a GoFundMe and posted it to his social media page.

Smith said that since Laura is not working because she remains in the hospital, he wanted to do what he could. He said donations will go to pay for medical expenses, funeral costs for Violet, and financial support for the family.

"I'm going to do everything I can to help Laura and Drake and their family get through this. Whatever I can do, I'm going to do it for sure,” said Smith.

He also said Archuleta will have a long road to recovery, but he is looking forward to the day when the teenager is back in his gym.

“If I can be a male role model, male figure in his life for the rest of his life, for however long he wants me to be in his life, I’m going to be there,” said Smith.

If you’d like to donate to the family, click here.