Just HOURS before, the miracle moment everyone prayed for: Maya OPENED her RIGHT EYE for the FIRST time since the nightmare began, moved her hand and leg — signs she was FIGHTING BACK after multiple gunshot wounds to the head and neck that doctors said she might NEVER survive. The family was holding their breath in hope…
Then the nightmare twisted again: Severe HYDROCEPHALUS struck — excess cerebrospinal fluid flooding her brain, pressure skyrocketing, no time to waste. Her mom’s cousin posted the terrifying words:
In the aftermath of one of Canada’s most tragic school shootings, the story of 12-year-old Maya Gebala has captured national and international attention as a symbol of courage amid unimaginable horror. On February 10, 2026, an 18-year-old entered Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in the remote British Columbia mining community, fatally shooting six people—including five students and one staff member—before turning the gun on themselves. Maya, a Grade 7 student, was among those critically wounded while attempting to protect her classmates.
According to family accounts and media reports, Maya and her peers were in the school library when the gunfire erupted. Hearing the chaos, she rushed to the door in an effort to lock it and shield those inside. Witnesses and family members, including her aunt Krysta Hunt, described how the lock failed, forcing Maya to spend precious seconds trying to secure it before seeking cover. The shooter gained entry, and Maya was struck multiple times—gunshot wounds to the head and neck, including severe trauma that caused immediate brain bleeding and swelling.
Air-lifted to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, Maya arrived in critical condition. Early medical interventions addressed acute injuries, but doctors initially offered a grim prognosis, warning that survival through the first night was uncertain due to extensive damage, particularly to the left side of her brain and brain stem. Her parents, Cia Edmonds and David Gebala, maintained a presence at her bedside, sharing updates via social media that blended heartbreak with cautious hope.
For more than a week, Maya remained in a medically induced coma, reliant on ventilators. Small signs of progress emerged gradually: faint coughs, subtle movements, and eventual independent breathing. On February 21, her mother posted a video from the hospital room announcing a major milestone—Maya had opened her right eye for the first time and was demonstrating voluntary movements in her right hand and leg. “She’s responding,” Edmonds said, her voice trembling with emotion as she spoke directly to her daughter.
These hopeful developments were short-lived. Later that same day, complications arose in the form of hydrocephalus—a serious condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s ventricles, increasing intracranial pressure and risking further damage to brain tissue. This buildup, a common secondary complication following traumatic brain injuries like gunshot wounds, required urgent surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening consequences.
Family members provided real-time alerts through Facebook and the GoFundMe campaign established to support Maya’s care and recovery expenses. Krysta Hunt, cousin to Maya’s mother, posted: “Not again. Maya is going to emergency surgery right now due to severe fluid build-up on the brain caused by Hydrocephalus. Please keep her in your prayers.” The procedure, performed late Saturday night, involved placing a drain to relieve the pressure and remove excess fluid.
Early Sunday morning, Maya’s father shared relief amid exhaustion: “Our brave little warrior has come through her emergency surgery. After what felt like the longest hour of our lives, the surgeon came to tell us it was successful. They’ve placed a drain on her right side, and she’s holding on strong—just another hurdle she’s facing with so much strength. We love you endlessly.”
Medical professionals explain that hydrocephalus post-trauma often necessitates procedures such as external ventricular drainage or eventual shunt placement to manage fluid levels long-term. While the immediate surgery was deemed successful, Maya’s condition remains critical. Family updates note ongoing issues, including persistent leaks of cerebral fluid and blood from wounds, consistent with the severity of her injuries. Recovery from such trauma can involve prolonged rehabilitation, potential neurological deficits, and extensive therapy, though the full extent remains uncertain.
The Tumbler Ridge community, still reeling from the loss of students Abel Mwansa, Kylie Smith, Zoey Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, Ezekiel Schofield, and education assistant Shannda Aviugana-Durand, has rallied around Maya. The GoFundMe has raised substantial funds—approaching half a million dollars from thousands of donors worldwide—covering medical costs, travel, and family support during what is expected to be a lengthy recovery.
Support has extended beyond local borders. The UFC organization personally reached out to the family to honor Maya’s bravery, with tributes shared during events, highlighting how her story resonated globally.
Maya’s parents have expressed profound gratitude for the outpouring while emphasizing compassion even toward the shooter’s family. They describe shifting from preparing for farewells to focusing on rehabilitation, singing to Maya and talking to stimulate responses. “To the moon and all the stars in the sky,” has become a recurring phrase in their posts, underscoring unwavering love.
The broader incident has reignited conversations on school safety protocols, mental health resources, and gun access in Canada, though police have released limited details on the suspect’s motives beyond prior mental health interactions
As Maya continues her fight at BC Children’s Hospital, each update serves as a reminder of resilience in the face of tragedy. Her courage in those final moments before the shooter entered—and her ongoing defiance of medical odds—have made her a beacon for a grieving nation. The path forward will be arduous, with no guarantees, but Maya’s story continues to inspire prayers and support from afar.
