😢 A MOTHER’S HEARTBREAKING WORDS: “I never thought I’d have to kneel and beg the whole world…” — Maya Gebala, 12, choked back tears beside her daughter’s hospital bed in Vancouver, where she continues to battle a deep coma after the Tumbler Ridge nightmare. The heroic girl who tried to lock the door to save her friends now only has small movements on her left side, her breathing weak and self-initiated… but doctors are still warning of severe brain damage. Cia Edmonds held her daughter’s hand, whispering a prayer — the latest details her mother just posted will bring you to tears 👇

The tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on February 10, 2026, shattered the quiet mining community and sent shockwaves across Canada and beyond. A mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School claimed eight lives—including six children, one education assistant, and the shooter’s mother and half-brother—while leaving around 25 others injured. Among the survivors fighting for her life is 12-year-old Maya Gebala, whose courageous actions during the chaos have captured hearts worldwide.

Maya, a Grade 7 student, became a symbol of bravery in the face of terror. As the shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, entered the school armed with weapons, chaos erupted. In the library, where several victims were later found, Maya instinctively rushed to the door. According to accounts from her family, she tried to lock it to protect her classmates and friends from the advancing danger. The lock was broken or malfunctioned, forcing her to seek cover under a table. Tragically, she was struck multiple times—reports indicate gunshot wounds to her head, neck, and possibly face—before the attacker was confronted by police and died by suicide.

Air-lifted to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, Maya was placed in critical condition, initially in a medically induced coma to manage severe brain swelling and injuries. Her mother, Cia Edmonds, and father, David Gebala, have remained by her bedside, sharing raw, emotional updates that have moved thousands. Early warnings from doctors were grim: the brain damage was described as extensive, with fears she might not survive the night. Yet Maya has shown small but meaningful signs of resilience.

Recent updates from Cia Edmonds highlight progress amid the heartbreak. Maya has begun making small movements, particularly on her left side—kicks, hand twitches, and fluttering eyes when seemingly “awake.” Her breathing, once fully dependent on machines, now includes weak, self-initiated efforts. However, the right side remains unresponsive, and doctors continue to caution about potential severe, long-term brain damage. “The progress is so uplifting, I dread the day it plateaus,” Cia wrote in one post, capturing the fragile hope mixed with fear that defines their vigil.

In a particularly poignant moment shared across social media and news outlets, Cia expressed the depths of a mother’s desperation: “I never thought I’d have to kneel and beg the whole world…” for prayers and support for her daughter. These words, echoed in various posts and reports, reflect the unimaginable shift from an ordinary school day to a hospital room filled with monitors, tubes, and whispered prayers. Cia has held Maya’s hand, whispering encouragements and prayers, while the family clings to every tiny sign of improvement.

Maya’s story is one of profound heroism wrapped in tragedy. Before the shooting, she was a typical 12-year-old—shy at times, brave in others, known for singing on stage despite nerves. Her act of trying to secure the door saved or delayed harm for others, even as it cost her dearly. Family members describe her as a “storm” of energy and kindness, always thinking of friends.

The broader tragedy has left the community reeling. Victims included young students like Kylie Smith, Zoey Benoit, Ticaria Lampert, Abel Mwansa Jr., and Ezekiel Schofield—all around Maya’s age—who lost their lives in the library or stairwell. Education assistant Shannda Aviugana-Durand also perished while protecting others. The shooter’s mother, Jennifer Strang, and half-brother were killed at home before the school attack.

Amid grief, there’s compassion. Cia Edmonds has spoken of her friendship with the shooter’s mother and empathy for her struggles with her child’s mental health issues. She urges against politicizing the event, emphasizing instead the need for better mental health resources rather than debates over guns or other factors.

Support has poured in globally. A GoFundMe for Maya’s recovery has raised hundreds of thousands, helping cover medical costs, travel, and time away from work so her parents can stay by her side. Thousands have sent messages of love and prayers, turning #MayaStrong into a rallying cry.

As of mid-February 2026, Maya remains in intensive care, her path uncertain but marked by incremental victories. Other survivors, like 19-year-old Paige Hoekstra, have been released or shown stronger recovery, offering glimmers of what might come. For Maya, every flutter, every breath on her own, is a miracle in the making.

Cia Edmonds continues to post updates, blending heartbreak with hope. In one, she described holding her daughter’s hand, praying silently as machines beeped. The image of a mother beside her child’s bed—whispering love, fighting tears—has brought many to tears. It’s a reminder of the human cost behind headlines: innocent lives upended, families forever changed.

The road ahead for Maya is long. Recovery from such injuries could involve years of therapy, potential disabilities, and endless uncertainty. Yet her story inspires. A child’s bravery in crisis, a mother’s unyielding love, a community’s solidarity—these elements shine through the darkness.

Tumbler Ridge will never be the same. Schools remain closed for in-person classes, with plans for alternative learning environments. Premier David Eby has promised no student will be forced back into the building where horror unfolded, vowing answers on mental health and support systems.

For now, the focus stays on Maya and others healing. Her mother’s plea—to the world, for prayers—resonates because it speaks to universal fears: protecting our children, facing the unthinkable, holding on when hope feels thin.

Maya Gebala, the girl who tried to lock out evil to save her friends, now fights her own battle. Her small movements are beacons in grief. As Cia holds her hand and whispers prayers, the world watches, prays, and hopes for more miracles.

In this heartbreaking chapter, one truth endures: a mother’s love knows no bounds, and a child’s courage can light even the darkest paths.