Girl, 12, Shot by Transgender School Shooter Will Not Survive the Night, Doctors Tell Distraught Mother

Vancouver, British Columbia – February 14, 2026 – The sterile hum of hospital machines echoes through the corridors of BC Children’s Hospital, a grim soundtrack to a family’s unimaginable agony. Cia Edmonds, a mother whose world shattered just days ago, clutches her daughter Maya’s hand, whispering prayers and pleas into the void. Doctors have delivered the devastating news: 12-year-old Maya Edmonds, hailed as a hero for her brave attempt to shield her classmates during the horrific Tumbler Ridge school shooting, is unlikely to survive the night. Her injuries—gunshot wounds to the head and neck—are catastrophic, with severe brain damage sealing a fate that has left a nation in mourning and ignited fierce debates on gun violence, mental health, and transgender issues in Canada.

people.com

12-Year-Old Victim ‘Fighting for Her Life’ After Canada School Shooting

The tragedy began on February 10, 2026, in the peaceful, remote town of Tumbler Ridge, a community of barely 2,400 souls nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Once a coal-mining hub turned tourist haven for dinosaur fossil hunts and outdoor adventures, the town now bears the scars of Canada’s deadliest school shooting in decades. Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old transgender woman who had dropped out of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School four years prior, unleashed a rampage that claimed nine lives, including her own via self-inflicted gunshot. Born biologically male and having transitioned about six years ago, Van Rootselaar had a documented history of mental health struggles, with multiple police visits to her home. She first killed her mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their family residence before driving to the school, armed with a legally purchased handgun.

Eyewitness accounts paint a scene of chaos and courage in the school’s library, where a Grade 8 class was in session. Van Rootselaar, dressed in a flowing dress with her brown hair cascading down, entered around 1:20 p.m. and opened fire without warning. Students dove for cover behind bookshelves and tables, their screams piercing the air. In that moment of terror, young Maya Edmonds emerged as a beacon of heroism. According to survivors, the 12-year-old rushed to the heavy wooden door, desperately trying to lock it and block the shooter’s path. Her selfless act bought precious seconds for her classmates to hide, potentially saving lives. But it came at a terrible price: Van Rootselaar shot her twice—once above her left eye, causing a massive brain bleed, and once in the neck, where the bullet lodged perilously close to her spine.

The assault continued mercilessly. Five students, aged 12 to 13—three girls and two boys—and their 39-year-old teacher were killed on the spot. Another victim succumbed en route to the hospital, bringing the school’s death toll to six. In total, eight innocents perished before Van Rootselaar turned the gun on herself as RCMP officers arrived. Approximately 25 to 27 others were injured, their wounds a mix of physical trauma and the invisible scars of psychological horror that will haunt them for years.

Emergency responders, navigating treacherous mountain roads, airlifted the most critically wounded, including Maya, to specialized facilities in Vancouver. The town was locked down under a shelter-in-place order until evening, as frantic parents flooded social media with pleas: “Has anyone seen my child?” RCMP North District Commander Ken Floyd addressed the press that night, confirming the grim details and linking the school attack to the home shootings. “We are still searching additional homes and properties to ensure there are no other injured individuals or connections to this incident,” he stated, his voice a steady anchor in the storm.

Maya’s story has captivated the nation, transforming her from an ordinary girl into a symbol of bravery and loss. Described by her family as a “feisty little girl who is brave and strong,” she loved school, her friends, and simple joys like holding a duck in a sunset photo that has gone viral. Her mother, Cia Edmonds, 40, has shared raw updates on Facebook, painting a picture of a normal morning turned nightmare. “Today started as any other,” she wrote shortly after the shooting. “Now, however, my 12-year-old daughter is fighting for her life while they try to repair the damage from a gunshot wound to the head. And one to the neck. She was a lucky one, I suppose. Condolences to the other families during this tragedy. This doesn’t even feel real.”

Initial surgeries on February 11 addressed the brain bleed, removing bone fragments and stabilizing her condition temporarily. But the bullet in her neck remains, too risky to extract due to its proximity to the spine. Hospital spokespeople described her injuries as “catastrophic but not immediately fatal,” with infection and swelling as looming threats. “We are taking it hour by hour,” a representative said on February 12. Yet, by February 13, hope flickered briefly. Cia reported voluntary movements—a kick, a hand motion, even a cough—for the first time in nearly 48 hours. The family sought a second opinion, clinging to any sign of progress. New details emerged: a grazing wound across her cheek and through her earlobe, hidden by blood. “She’s still fighting,” Cia posted, urging prayers.

But on this Valentine’s Day, February 14, that fragile hope has been dashed. Doctors informed Cia that the brain damage is too extensive; Maya will not make it through the night. “We were warned that the damage to her brain was too much for her to endure, and she wouldn’t make the night,” Cia had shared earlier, but now it’s a dire reality. In a heartbreaking update, she wrote, “Our baby needs a miracle. She’s here… for how long we don’t know.” The GoFundMe page, which has raised over $150,000 for medical expenses and rehabilitation, now serves as a digital memorial, flooded with messages of love and sorrow.

nationalpost.com

Tumbler Ridge school shooting leaves girl, 12, fighting for her life | National Post

As Tumbler Ridge grapples with grief, vigils illuminate the night. Residents gather in the town square, candles flickering against the cold, flowers and teddy bears piling up outside the school. One note reads: “For Maya—your bravery inspires us all.” Schools in the Peace River North District remain closed, counseling services mobilized. Premier David Eby pledged support: “Our hearts are in Tumbler Ridge tonight.” Mayor Darryl Krakowka called the town “one big family,” urging unity.

cbc.ca

How Tumbler Ridge is coming together to grieve this week’s tragedy | CBC News

The shooter’s identity has fueled intense scrutiny. Jesse Van Rootselaar had no criminal record but prior mental health contacts with authorities. Investigators are probing her online activity, family dynamics, and possible grudges from school days. A court ruling described her family’s “nomadic lifestyle,” marked by moves across provinces. She created a disturbing shopping mall massacre simulation on a gaming platform, which was later removed. The handgun was legally obtained, sparking calls for tighter gun laws in Canada, already stringent post-École Polytechnique.

freedomforallamericans.org

Police Identify Suspect as Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, in Canada School Shooting

This incident, the second mass homicide in British Columbia in under a year, exposes vulnerabilities. Mental health experts highlight rural service gaps, with wait times stretching months. The transgender aspect has ignited controversy, with some questioning support systems for gender dysphoria amid mental health crises. Advocates stress that violence isn’t inherent to transgender individuals, but the case raises questions about untreated issues.

Nationally, mass shootings are rare compared to the U.S., but events like the 2020 Nova Scotia spree (22 dead) remind Canadians of the peril. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for unity and action on gun policy. Opposition parties demand reviews, while communities rally: local businesses shuttered, neighbors deliver meals.

For the Edmonds family, the pain is visceral. Cia feels compassion even for the shooter’s mother. “She’s a fighter,” she says of Maya. As the clock ticks, a nation holds its breath, praying for a miracle that may not come. In Tumbler Ridge’s resilient spirit, stories of heroism like Maya’s endure, a testament to love amid despair.

Yet, as doctors prepare Cia for the worst, questions linger: How did a troubled teen access a weapon? Why weren’t mental health red flags heeded? This tragedy etches itself into history, demanding change. Maya’s light, though fading, illuminates the path forward—a call to protect the innocent, heal the broken, and prevent the unimaginable from recurring.