Nearly two weeks after the devastating mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on February 10, 2026, 12-year-old Maya Gebala’s family received a glimmer of hope when she showed small but encouraging signs of progress. Maya, who was shot in the head and neck while heroically trying to protect her classmates by locking the library door, had begun moving her left side, taking tiny breaths on her own, and even opening her right eye for the first time. Her mother, Cia Edmonds, shared joyful updates on social media and the family’s GoFundMe page, describing these milestones as “miracles” amid the overwhelming grief of losing eight people, including six children and two adults, in the rampage carried out by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar.

But in a devastating twist, doctors have now confirmed Maya’s vital signs have become dangerously unstable once more. Family updates shared on social media and reported by outlets like CBC, Vancouver Sun, and National Post indicate that her condition has deteriorated sharply, with concerns over fluid buildup on the brain (hydrocephalus) requiring emergency surgery on February 21, 2026. The procedure was successful in draining excess cerebrospinal fluid, but Maya remains in critical condition at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, fighting an unpredictable battle between life and sudden decline.

The latest setback has left the community stunned and praying as the situation grows more fragile by the hour. Krysta Hunt, Maya’s mother’s cousin, posted an urgent update on the GoFundMe page, which has raised over $450,000 for Maya’s recovery, stating: “This update shows just how critical Maya is with her injury. Please keep her in your thoughts.” Cia Edmonds has shared videos from the hospital room showing Maya with bandages and tubes, yet still responding to stimuli in small ways. “She’s still fighting,” Edmonds said in one clip, her voice breaking as she described her daughter’s resilience.

Maya was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital immediately after the shooting, where she underwent emergency surgery to address brain stem damage and other life-threatening injuries. Initial reports were grim—doctors prepared the family for the possibility that she might not survive the night. Yet Maya defied expectations, moving from end-of-life care to intensive care as she showed tiny breath initiations, eye flickers, and left-side movements. Her father, David Gebala, posted updates expressing awe at her progress: “You went from not being able to move at all, to moving more and more each day.” Nurses even adjusted her ventilator to pressure support because she began taking her own breaths—a significant milestone.

The brief period of hope was shattered when severe fluid buildup on the brain necessitated another emergency intervention. Hydrocephalus, caused by the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles, leads to increased intracranial pressure and can cause irreversible damage if not addressed quickly. The surgery involved placing a drain on her right side to relieve pressure, and while it was successful, Maya’s condition remains extremely critical. Her mother has shared that Maya is still focused on one of her favorite shows, Henry Danger, a small sign of her personality shining through the trauma.

The Tumbler Ridge shooting claimed eight lives: six children and two adults. The shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed her mother and half-brother at home before entering the school, where she fatally shot six students and injured several others, including Maya and another girl, Paige Hoekstra. Van Rootselaar died by suicide after being confronted by police. Paige was released from hospital and returned home on February 16, 2026, marking a positive recovery story amid the tragedy.

Maya’s family has been transparent about her journey, posting videos and updates that have touched people across Canada and beyond. Cia Edmonds has spoken about the agony of watching her daughter fight, yet also about the compassion she feels for the shooter’s mother. The family has faced threats, leading to the cancellation of a planned private funeral for another victim, but they remain focused on Maya’s recovery and honoring those lost.

The community has rallied around Maya with an outpouring of support. The GoFundMe page, titled “Support for Maya in Her Road to Recovery,” has raised substantial funds to cover medical costs and family needs. UFC paid tribute to Maya, and messages from around the world have poured in, calling her a “brave girl” who defied the odds.

As Maya’s condition remains critical and unpredictable, every hour is a fragile battle. Her family continues to ask for prayers and thoughts, holding onto hope amid the setbacks. The nation watches, heartbroken yet inspired by a 12-year-old’s strength in the face of unimaginable trauma.