😢 “Our baby needs a miracle.” 😢

12-year-old Maya is fighting so hard right now in Vancouver Children’s Hospital after the heartbreaking events in Tumbler Ridge. Her mom shared that doctors had to perform emergency surgery for serious brain injury and swelling, and at one point warned the family the damage might be too much to overcome—she might not make it through the night.

Read more:

In the quiet mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, where coal mining once defined daily life, grief has taken hold following one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings in recent memory. The attack on February 10, 2026, at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a private residence left nine people dead, including the suspected shooter, and more than two dozen injured. Among the wounded is 12-year-old Maya Gebala, whose mother has issued a raw, emotional appeal: “Our baby needs a miracle.”

Cia Edmonds, Maya’s mother, posted updates on social media from her daughter’s bedside at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, where the girl was airlifted after suffering gunshot wounds to the head and neck. Edmonds described a day that began normally but descended into horror. “Today started as any other,” she wrote. “Now, however, my 12-year-old daughter is fighting for her life.”

According to family members and reports from outlets including the National Post and Global News, Maya was shot while attempting to protect others. Her aunt, Krysta Hunt, told media that the girl tried to lock a library door to shield classmates during the chaos. Doctors performed emergency surgery to address a brain bleed and swelling, but Edmonds revealed doctors had warned the family that the brain damage “was too much for her to endure, and she wouldn’t make the night.”

Despite the dire prognosis, Maya survived the initial critical period. Hunt noted on February 12 that the family was awaiting signs of how the girl would respond post-surgery, with significant swelling still a concern. “They’re trying to push the family… to make a decision, but right now we’re not ready for that,” Hunt said. An online GoFundMe campaign launched to cover medical expenses and allow Edmonds to stay by her daughter’s side has raised substantial funds, reflecting widespread public support.

The shooting unfolded on a Tuesday afternoon when 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar allegedly killed her 39-year-old mother, Jennifer Jacobs (also known as Jennifer Strang in some reports), and 11-year-old stepbrother Emmett Jacobs at their home before heading to the school armed with firearms. At Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, the suspect opened fire, killing five students—three 12-year-old girls (including Zoey Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, and Kylie Smith), two boys aged 12 and 13 (Abel Mwansa and Ezekiel Schofield)—and a 39-year-old female educator. Another staff member and additional students were wounded.

Police confirmed Van Rootselaar died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after exchanging fire with responding officers. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) identified the suspect on February 11, noting prior mental health-related calls to the home but no criminal record that would have prevented firearm possession under Canada’s strict gun laws. Authorities have not released a motive, though investigations continue into the suspect’s background and access to weapons.

The tragedy has stunned a town of roughly 2,500 residents, many connected through school, work, or family. Memorials of flowers, candles, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes have grown outside the school and in public spaces. Parents and community members have shared stories of the victims: Kylie Smith’s father called her a “beautiful soul” who loved art and dreamed of university in Toronto; Ticaria Lampert’s mother described her as a “blazing light in the darkness” and a “strong voice that was silenced.”

For the surviving victims and families, the road ahead remains uncertain. More than 25 people were injured, some critically. Maya Gebala’s case has drawn particular attention due to her age, her heroic actions as described by relatives, and her mother’s public expressions of anguish and hope. Edmonds wrote of feeling her daughter’s presence: “I can feel her saying it’s going to be OK… she’s here… for how long we don’t know.”

RCMP Deputy Commissioner has emphasized ongoing efforts to support victims’ families and the community. British Columbia Premier David Eby has promised answers regarding gun access and mental health services in the wake of the attack. Canada, with its comparatively low rate of gun violence and stringent firearm regulations, has seen few school shootings of this scale; the incident ranks among the country’s deadliest in decades.

Experts and officials have noted that while Canada’s gun laws—requiring background checks, licensing, and restrictions on certain firearms—are far stricter than those in the United States, no system is foolproof. Questions linger about how the suspect obtained weapons despite prior police interactions related to mental health.

As Tumbler Ridge mourns, support has poured in from across Canada and beyond. Vigils have been held, with residents holding signs reading “Tumbler Ridge Strong” and sharing memories of the lost children. For Maya’s family, the focus remains on her recovery. Edmonds described the community as “shattered” and her heart bleeding for all affected. “Our baby needs a miracle,” she pleaded, a sentiment echoed by thousands online who have shared prayers and donations.

Investigators continue piecing together the timeline, reviewing evidence, and speaking with witnesses. No additional arrests have been made, and police have urged the public to avoid speculation while the probe unfolds.

In a nation grappling with yet another unthinkable loss, the story of Maya Gebala—and her mother’s unflinching call for a miracle—serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost behind the headlines. As doctors monitor her condition and the town heals, hope persists amid profound sorrow that this young survivor, who risked everything for others, will defy the odds once more.