“I NEVER THOUGHT THERE WOULD COME A DAY WHEN I WOULD HAVE TO BOW MY HEAD AND BEG THE WHOLE WORLD…” A mother’s heartbreaking words as she sits vigil by her 12-year-old daughter’s bedside, praying for a miracle after the unthinkable.
In the quiet town of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., a routine school day shattered on February 10, 2026, when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School—killing eight people, including young students and staff, before taking her own life. Among the 27 injured: brave 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who reportedly tried to lock the library door to protect her classmates, only to be shot multiple times in the head and neck.
Now, days later, Maya remains in critical condition at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. Doctors say the next few hours—and days—are crucial. She’s shown small signs of fight:
The mother of 12-year-old Maya Gebala, one of the survivors of last week’s deadly mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, has issued an emotional plea for prayers as her daughter remains in critical condition at BC Children’s Hospital, with doctors describing the coming hours as pivotal to her recovery.
The shooting occurred on February 10, 2026, in the remote northeastern B.C. community of Tumbler Ridge, population about 2,400. An 18-year-old suspect, identified by police as Jesse Van Rootselaar, fatally shot her mother and half-brother at a private residence before entering the school and opening fire. Eight people were killed—including six children aged 11 to 13, a 39-year-old educator, and the suspect, who died from a self-inflicted wound. At least 27 others were injured, some gravely.
Maya Gebala, a Grade 7 student, was among those airlifted to Vancouver after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the head and neck. According to family statements and media reports, she attempted to lock the library door to shield classmates as the gunman approached, an act described by relatives and community members as heroic.
Maya’s parents, Cia Edmonds and David Gebala, have remained at her bedside since the airlift. In a series of Facebook posts, Cia Edmonds has shared raw updates on her daughter’s condition. Early reports indicated doctors prepared the family for the possibility that Maya would not survive the first night due to the severity of her injuries. She was placed in a medically induced coma to manage swelling and underwent surgery.
Despite the grim prognosis, Maya has shown incremental signs of resilience. Edmonds reported small movements in her limbs, and more recently, that her daughter has begun taking breaths on her own—a milestone celebrated by the family after days of mechanical ventilation. However, challenges persist: significant damage to the left side of her brain, injury to the brain stem from an exiting bullet, surrounding swelling, and potential stroke-like effects that may impact one side of her body long-term. Doctors have cautioned that full recovery of deliberate function remains uncertain.
“I never thought there would come a day when I would have to bow my head and beg the whole world…” Edmonds wrote in one post, echoing the desperation felt by many parents in crisis. She has repeatedly asked for prayers and support, emphasizing faith and hope even amid heavy updates. “She’s still fighting,” she told CBC News in an interview, describing encouragement from well-wishers nationwide.
The family has urged the public to focus on compassion rather than politicizing the tragedy. They expressed sympathy for the shooter’s mother—also a victim—and called for better mental health resources in remote communities like Tumbler Ridge, where the suspect had prior police contact and a Mental Health Act detention.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by relatives to support Maya’s recovery has drawn widespread donations, with proceeds aiding medical costs, travel, and future needs. Hockey communities have rallied, with figures like Hayley Wickenheiser sharing the link, noting Maya’s love for sports, especially ice hockey.
Other survivors include 19-year-old Paige Hoekstra, who was shot in the chest and recently cleared by doctors to return home after surgery. Her progress has offered glimmers of hope to families still waiting.
The broader community continues to grieve. Vigils have been held, with Prime Minister attendance at one event. British Columbia observed a day of mourning, and condolence books were established. Police maintain no ongoing threat exists, and the investigation into the shooter’s motives—linked to mental health issues—remains active.
Maya’s story has resonated far beyond Tumbler Ridge. Described as outgoing, kind, and full of life, she embodies the innocence lost in the attack. Her mother’s public vulnerability—sharing hospital photos, medical details, and pleas—has humanized the aftermath for millions following the coverage from CBC, Global News, Vancouver Sun, and international outlets like The New York Times and BBC.
As of February 19, 2026, Maya remains in critical but stable condition in a recovery unit after moving from intensive care. The next hours are described as crucial for assessing response to treatment and managing complications like swelling or infection.
For Cia Edmonds, each small sign is a reason to hold on. “To the moon and all the stars in the sky,” she has written to her daughter, a nickname born of love and hope. The family continues to draw strength from prayers and messages, even as they face an uncertain road—potential long-term care, feeding tubes, or rehabilitation.
In a town forever changed and a nation reflecting on gun violence and mental health, Maya Gebala’s fight has become a focal point of collective hope. Her mother’s plea echoes across social media and news feeds: pray for the girl who tried to save others, now needing the world to help save her.
