The family has emphasized Maya’s heroic actions during the chaos

12-year-old hero Maya Gebala threw herself into danger to shield her classmates from a gunman in the Tumbler Ridge school nightmare.

Yet here we are days later… Maya is breathing on her own for the first time. She’s moving her left side, defying every grim prediction. Her mom’s latest update:

Vancouver, British Columbia — In the wake of one of Canada’s deadliest school shootings, 12-year-old Maya Gebala continues to battle for her life at B.C. Children’s Hospital, offering glimmers of hope to a grieving community and supporters worldwide.

Maya was gravely wounded on February 10 during a mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School that claimed eight lives, including six children and two adults. The shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who authorities say took their own life after the attack, entered the school armed with firearms. Maya, according to family accounts, attempted to lock the library door to protect fellow students before hiding under a table, where she was struck by bullets in the head and neck.

Airlifted to Vancouver’s pediatric facility in critical condition, Maya was placed in a medically induced coma. Initial medical assessments painted a dire picture: catastrophic brain damage, with a bullet still lodged and fragments scattered in her brain. Her mother, Cia Edmonds, shared early updates indicating doctors had prepared the family for the possibility that Maya might not survive the first night.

“We were told we only had hours,” Edmonds wrote in posts on social media and the family’s GoFundMe page. Yet, as days have passed, small but significant improvements have emerged, shifting the focus from farewell preparations to cautious steps toward recovery.

In a recent update posted on the GoFundMe campaign titled “Support for Maya in Her Road to Recovery,” Edmonds reported that ventilator pressure had been reduced because Maya was beginning to take breaths on her own. “The pride of Tumbler Ridge, Maya Gebala, is starting to breathe on her own, eight days after being flown to Vancouver,” the post read. Edmonds added, “You continue to defy every expectation the doctors and surgeons once prepared us for. We were told we only had hours and yet here you are, still fighting, still with us.”

Additional progress includes movement primarily on Maya’s left side, though her right side remains less responsive. Swelling in her brain has decreased, a development Edmonds described as encouraging amid ongoing challenges. “The swelling is going down,” she noted in an earlier Facebook post, while acknowledging, “There is still a bullet in her. There is still shards in her brains… She still cannot breathe on her own” at that time. The transition to independent breathing marks a notable milestone.

The family has emphasized Maya’s heroic actions during the chaos. Her aunt, Krysta Hunt, told media outlets that Maya tried to secure the library door “from the shooter to save the other kids” before seeking cover. Her parents, Edmonds and David Gebala, have publicly credited their daughter’s quick thinking with potentially saving lives. David Gebala, in one statement, described Maya as “way too stubborn to let this” defeat her, expressing belief in her ability to pull through.

The GoFundMe, which has raised substantial funds — over $420,000 in recent reports — supports Maya’s long-term recovery needs, including potential rehabilitation and family expenses during her hospitalization. Edmonds has expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from across Canada and beyond, noting that messages and donations have provided emotional strength during an unimaginably difficult period.

“The progress is so uplifting, I dread the day it plateaus,” Edmonds wrote in one update, reflecting both hope and the reality of an uncertain prognosis. Medical professionals have cautioned that recovery from such severe injuries remains a prolonged and challenging process, with risks of permanent neurological impacts.

The Tumbler Ridge tragedy has left the small northeast British Columbia community reeling. With a population of around 2,000, the town has seen an outpouring of grief, vigils, and solidarity. Other survivors, including Paige Hoekstra, have shown improvement, with some cleared for discharge and return home. However, the loss of young lives — including close friends among the victims — has compounded the sorrow.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, including the shooter’s motivations and access to firearms. Early reports indicate Van Rootselaar arrived at the school dressed in women’s clothing and armed with a long gun and modified rifle. The case has reignited national discussions on school safety, mental health, and gun control in Canada.

Maya’s story has resonated far beyond Tumbler Ridge, drawing attention from media outlets and individuals moved by her bravery. Posts on social platforms frequently highlight her as a “fighter” and “hero,” with calls for continued prayers and support. Family statements have avoided speculation on long-term outcomes, focusing instead on day-to-day advancements and appreciation for the community’s response.

As Maya remains in intensive care, her mother’s words capture the fragile balance of hope and hardship: “I love you to the moon and back my baby. All the stars in the sky.” The family has indicated that while the immediate crisis may have eased slightly, the journey ahead is extensive and unknown.

Supporters are encouraged to follow updates via the official GoFundMe or family-shared channels. In a time of profound loss, Maya’s ongoing fight serves as a poignant reminder of resilience amid tragedy. The coming weeks and months will likely reveal more about her path, as medical teams monitor her closely and the community holds its collective breath.