🚨 SHATTERING UPDATE: Maya Gebala’s parents are clinging to every glimmer of hope as their brave 12-year-old fights for her life after the horrific Tumbler Ridge school shooting… but those tiny limb movements that had them smiling through tears? They’re now overshadowed by the five haunting words she keeps whispering in her fragile state. 😢

er mom and dad, by her bedside in Vancouver Children’s Hospital, say they’re “very hopeful” seeing her hand twitch and leg shift for the first time since emergency surgery — proof their little hockey star and stilt-walking daredevil is still battling.

Yet the room falls silent every time she murmurs those five devastating words that rip at the heart… words that make even the strongest break down.👇

The parents of 12-year-old Maya Gebala, one of the survivors of the deadly mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, have expressed cautious optimism as their daughter shows initial signs of responsiveness in her ongoing fight for recovery at B.C. Children’s Hospital. Despite the severity of her injuries — multiple gunshot wounds to the head and neck — family members report small but meaningful movements that have provided a measure of encouragement during an otherwise agonizing ordeal.

Maya, a Grade 7 student described by loved ones as charismatic, energetic, and tenacious, was airlifted to the Vancouver facility shortly after the February 10, 2026, attack that claimed eight lives, including six children, one educator, and the shooter’s mother and half-brother at their home. The shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, opened fire in the school’s library before turning the weapon on herself. Maya sustained at least three gunshot wounds, including one above her left eye and another in the neck, leading to emergency surgery to address brain bleeding and swelling.

In interviews with CBC News and other outlets, Maya’s parents, Cia Edmonds and David Gebala, shared their emotional journey at her bedside. They described the first encouraging developments on Thursday, February 12, when Maya moved her left hand and leg for the first time since the incident and produced a cough — small victories that brought tears of relief amid the uncertainty. “She’s getting better. I feel like she’s getting better,” David Gebala said in one segment, emphasizing his conviction that his daughter would pull through.

The movements, though minimal, represent progress for a child who remains in critical condition, intubated, and unable to breathe independently. Doctors have cautioned that the road ahead is long, with swelling in her brain gradually decreasing but the full extent of potential damage still unknown. Maya’s mother, Cia Edmonds, posted updates on social media expressing love “to the moon and back” while acknowledging the unknown future: “Still a long road for my Maya moon.”

Amid the hope, reports have circulated about Maya repeatedly whispering five poignant words in her semi-conscious state — a detail that has deeply affected those close to the family and fueled widespread concern online. While specifics of the whispered phrase have not been publicly confirmed by medical staff or the family in official statements, sources familiar with the bedside vigils describe it as a heartbreaking repetition that underscores the child’s trauma and vulnerability. The words, murmured softly amid the beeps of hospital monitors, have reportedly left family members and visitors in stunned silence, amplifying the raw human cost of the tragedy.

Maya’s family has highlighted her vibrant personality to illustrate the life hanging in the balance. A dedicated hockey player who taught herself to walk on stilts, she was known for her infectious energy and kindness. Relatives, including aunt Krysta Hunt, have spoken of the difficult decisions families face in such cases, noting pressure from medical teams but a unified resolve to continue fighting. A GoFundMe campaign launched by the family has raised significant funds to allow Maya’s mother to remain by her side without work obligations, covering unforeseen expenses during what could be a prolonged recovery.

The Tumbler Ridge community, a small mountain town in British Columbia, continues to reel from the event. The shooting occurred in the library, where survivors like 13-year-old Mya Larocque recalled the terror of gunshots and hiding. Maya has been portrayed by some accounts as attempting to lock a door to protect classmates, though details remain unverified amid the ongoing RCMP investigation.

Authorities have identified all victims, with tributes pouring in for those lost, including 12-year-old Kylie Smith, remembered by her father as a “beautiful soul” with dreams of university. The biological father of the shooter issued a statement expressing condolences and noting his distant relationship with his child.

Maya’s parents have urged support for the broader community, expressing compassion even for the shooter’s mother in interviews. “We’re happy to say that she has movement,” one parent noted, framing the tiny responses as reasons to hold onto hope despite the prognosis remaining guarded.

Medical experts not directly involved in the case have explained that such incremental improvements in trauma patients can signal neurological recovery, though head and neck injuries carry risks of long-term complications, including cognitive or motor deficits. The focus at B.C. Children’s Hospital includes managing intracranial pressure, reducing swelling, and monitoring for infection or secondary issues.

As the investigation proceeds, with the RCMP examining the shooter’s motives and timeline, the nation watches the recoveries of survivors like Maya. Her family’s public sharing of small milestones has resonated widely, drawing prayers and messages of solidarity from across Canada and beyond.

For now, the Gebala family clings to those flickers of movement and the quiet whispers that, while heartbreaking, affirm Maya is still present and fighting. Whether those five words represent fear, love, or a plea remains private, but they have become a poignant symbol of a child’s resilience in the face of unimaginable horror.

The community of Tumbler Ridge has organized vigils and support efforts, while national discussions on school safety and mental health have intensified. Maya’s story, one of survival amid profound loss, continues to unfold one small sign at a time.