kk.Maya Gebala Shot in Head and Neck During Tumbler Ridge School Shooting, Now Fighting for Her Life
On February 10, 2026, the small town of Tumbler Ridge, nestled in the Canadian Rockies, was rocked by an unimaginable tragedy. What started as a routine school day for 12-year-old Maya Gebala and her classmates turned into one of the most horrifying events the town had ever witnessed.
An 18-year-old local, Jesse Van Rootselaar, entered Tumbler Ridge Secondary School with two firearms after committing a double murder at his home earlier that day. In the school library, where students were gathered, he opened fire, killing five students and one staff member, before ultimately turning the weapon on himself.
Maya was one of the victims caught in the crossfire. As the chaos unfolded, she and her classmates rushed to the library door, desperately trying to lock it and keep the shooter out.
Despite their best efforts, the shooter was able to open fire, hitting Maya twice—once in the head and once in the neck. The injuries were devastating, and Maya collapsed, bleeding heavily as she was left in critical condition.
First responders acted quickly, stabilizing Maya at the scene before airlifting her to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, more than 1,000 kilometers away. Her parents, Cia Edmonds and David Gebala, were informed and rushed to be by her side, their world shattered in an instant.
Doctors immediately warned them that Maya’s chances of survival were slim due to the severity of her brain trauma and swelling. They explained that the swelling in her brain was so significant that it was unclear whether she would make it through the night.
Maya’s condition was so dire that she was placed in a medically induced coma to give her brain time to heal. For days, the doctors could only monitor her vital signs, unsure of what the outcome would be.
Despite the bleak prognosis, Maya began to show small signs of recovery. At first, it was just a slight twitch in her fingers or a faint movement of her leg, but it was enough to give her family and medical team hope.
By February 13, three days after the shooting, Maya moved her left hand and leg voluntarily. Though doctors were still cautious, these small movements were a miraculous sign that she was fighting against all odds.
As the days passed, Maya’s progress continued, albeit slowly. She began to open her eyes, and soon after, she was able to respond to touch and even follow simple commands.
Perhaps the most miraculous moment came when Maya started breathing on her own. After being on a ventilator for several days, Maya’s lungs began to function independently, much to the amazement of her doctors.
