đ¨ A LITTLE HEROIC MOMENT: 12-year-old Maya Gebala rushed to the library door of Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, her hands trembling as she tried to lock it shut to prevent a nightmare from engulfing her, protecting her friends from terrible danger. đą
Now, Maya is still fighting for her life in the ICU at Vancouver Children’s Hospital, her parents by her bedside, holding her hand and praying for a miracle. The once cheerful, sports-loving “Maya Moon” has become a symbol of childlike courage amidst unimaginable tragedy.
Hearing Maya’s parents recount the story, you’ll feel the heart-wrenching pain… but the final detail about her last action in the library will leave you choked with emotion and unable to stop praying for her đ
A Little Hero’s Fight: Maya Gebala’s Courage and Ongoing Battle After the Tumbler Ridge Tragedy
In the serene, snow-covered landscape of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbiaâa small mining town of about 2,000 residents nestled in the Rocky Mountains’ foothillsâa day of routine school activities turned into unimaginable horror on February 10, 2026. At Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, 12-year-old Maya Gebala became an emblem of childlike bravery amid chaos. As gunfire erupted in the school library, Maya rushed to lock the door, attempting to shield her classmates from the shooter. Tragically, she was struck by bullets to the head and neck, sustaining life-threatening injuries that have left her fighting for survival in the ICU at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.
A viral social media post captured the essence of this heartbreaking moment: “12-year-old Maya Gebala rushed to the library door… her hands trembling as she tried to lock it shut to prevent a nightmare from engulfing her, protecting her friends from terrible danger.” It described her as the “cheerful, sports-loving ‘Maya Moon'” now symbolizing courage, with her parents praying for a miracle. While the post’s dramatic flair resonates emotionally, verified reports from family updates and news sources paint a vivid picture of her heroism and the grueling recovery ahead. As of February 15, 2026, Maya shows tentative signs of progressâattempting independent breaths and slight eye dilationâbut remains in critical condition with bullet fragments in her brain and a lodged bullet in her neck.
This article explores the facts of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, focusing on Maya’s story, her family’s ordeal, and the community’s response. Drawing from recent news reports, family statements shared on social media, and survivor accounts, it highlights the human cost of this rare Canadian tragedy while underscoring themes of resilience and hope.
Tumbler Ridge: From Tranquil Mining Town to Site of Sorrow
Tumbler Ridge, established in 1981 as a planned community for coal miners, is a place where nature’s grandeur meets small-town intimacy. Surrounded by dinosaur fossil sites and UNESCO-recognized geoparks, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with winters blanketed in snow and summers alive with hiking trails.
bloomberg.com
Ten Dead, Dozens Injured in British Columbia School Shooting, Canada Police Say – Bloomberg
The town’s population has fluctuated with mining booms and busts, but its core remains tight-knit, with families relying on community events like minor hockey gamesâactivities Maya loved.
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, serving grades 7-12, is central to this fabric. The brick building, featuring a mural of the northern lights, typically buzzes with about 200 students.
theglobeandmail.com
Questions linger around the Tumbler Ridge shooter’s access to guns – The Globe and Mail
On February 10, around 1:20 p.m., that normalcy shattered when 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, armed with firearms, entered after killing their mother, Jennifer Strang, 39, and half-brother, Emmett Jacobs, 11, at home. The shooter, who identified as transgender and had a history of mental health issues including hospitalizations, targeted the library, killing five students and one educator before dying from a self-inflicted wound.
The death toll reached nine, including the shooter, with over 25 injuredâsome critically, like Maya and a 19-year-old woman airlifted to Vancouver. RCMP investigations reveal the primary firearm at the school was unregistered, raising questions about gun access despite Canada’s strict laws.
The Timeline: Chaos Unfolds
The rampage began at the family home on Fellers Avenue. Van Rootselaar, known to have attempted arson there previously and had firearms seized (and returned) by police, killed Strang and Jacobs before heading to the school. At the library, students like Maya were gathered when shots rang out. Survivors recounted hiding under tables or behind bookshelves, with screams echoing through the halls.
SWAT teams evacuated groups over hours, with some, like 12-year-old Quinn Campbell, calling parents in terror. By evening, the RCMP confirmed the casualties: students Abel Mwansa Jr., 12; Ezekiel Schofield, 13; Kylie Smith, 12; Zoe Benoah, 12; and Kerry Lambert (also known as Ticaria Lampert), 12; educator Shanda Abigana Duran, 39; and the home victims.
Maya Gebala: The Heroic Act That Defined a Tragedy
Maya Gebala, a vibrant Grade 7 student nicknamed “Maya Moon” by her family, was known for her outgoing personality and passion for sports, particularly hockey.
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Described by her father, David Gebala, as “full of joy and love,” she taught herself to walk on stilts and was a fierce competitor on the ice.
On that day, as the shooter approached the library, Maya and her classmates heard screams. “They tried to close the library door and lock it,” said her aunt, Krysta Hunt. Maya charged forward, her small hands fumbling with the lock in a desperate bid to protect her friends. Unable to secure it fully, she dove for cover but was hitâ a bullet grazing her cheek and earlobe before penetrating her head above the left eye, and another striking her neck.
Friends noticed her finger twitch after the shooting, a sign she was alive. They carried her to safety, an act that saved her life. Airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital, Maya underwent emergency surgery for brain bleeding and swelling.
zgf.com
BC Children’s Hospital & BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, Teck Acute Care Centre – Work – ZGF
Doctors warned her parents, Cia Edmonds and David Gebala, that she might not survive the first night.
Yet, Maya defied odds. By February 12, she showed voluntary movementsâkicking and moving her left hand and legâand coughed for the first time. On Day 4 (February 14), her mother shared: “Maya has started attempting to initiate her own breaths… The nurse noted a slight dilation in her eye. These are all very positive signs.” However, challenges persist: she cannot breathe independently, has bullet shards in her brain, and swelling is only slowly receding. Her family seeks a second opinion, emphasizing her stubborn spirit: “She’s still fighting.”
In a poignant interview, her parents expressed compassion for the shooter’s mother, whom Edmonds once babysat Van Rootselaar for, highlighting the interconnectedness of the small town. They urge focus on mental health over politics.
The Victims: Innocence Lost
Maya’s story is intertwined with profound loss. Abel Mwansa Jr., 12, a recent Zambian immigrant, was remembered as a “leader” with a “genuine smile.” Ezekiel Schofield, 13, was “always smiling”; Kylie Smith, 12, known since infancy; Zoe Benoah (Zoey Renee Anne Benoit), 12; and Kerry Lambert (Ticaria Lampert), 12, whose mother called her a “blazing light.” Educator Shanda Abigana Duran, 39, died protecting students.
At home, Strang, a dedicated miner and single mother, and young Emmett were the first victims. Community members like Dennis Campbell, whose daughter survived, mourned: “I’ve watched these kids grow up.”
The Shooter: Unraveling Mental Health Failures
Van Rootselaar’s biological father expressed condolences, noting a distant relationship. Police had intervened multiple times for mental health crises, yet firearms were returned. Experts warn against vilifying transgender individuals, stressing untreated illness as the root. Rural isolation exacerbates access to care, prompting calls for telehealth expansions.
Gun debates intensify: Despite assault weapon bans, the shooter’s weapons’ origins are unknown. Balanced views from advocates highlight multifaceted prevention needs.
Community and National Healing: Vigils and Support
Tumbler Ridge has united in grief. A candlelight vigil on February 14 drew hundreds, with politicians from all parties speaking of the victims’ lasting impact.
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Memorials overflow with teddies and messages.
A GoFundMe for Maya has raised over $280,000 for medical costs and family support. Nationally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged mental health funding, while international condolences arrived from Ukraine’s president and NHL teams. Social media overflows with prayers: “Keep praying for this angel,” one post urged.
Survivors like Quinn share their ordeals, emphasizing teacher heroism. Mayor Darryl Krakowka noted: “Everybody’s going to be grieving.”
Broader Implications: Lessons from Loss
This shooting, one of Canada’s worst since 2020’s Nova Scotia rampage, reignites discussions on school safety, mental health, and firearms. Transgender youth face elevated risks due to discrimination, per experts, underscoring support needs. Rural communities demand better resources, as isolation hinders intervention.
Families like Maya’s call for unity: “We need prayers, not politics.” Data substantiates that addressing bullying and mental health gaps could prevent such acts, even if politically charged views persist.
Conclusion: Hope in Heroism
As February 15, 2026, unfolds, Maya Gebala continues her valiant fight, her parents by her side in Vancouver.
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Her rush to the doorâa trembling, heroic actâembodies the innocence and bravery lost that day. While the viral post’s emotion rings true, the real story is one of ongoing struggle and communal strength.
In Tumbler Ridge, mountains watch over a healing town. Candles from the vigil symbolize enduring light amid darkness.
euronews.com
Canada in shock after Tumbler Ridge high school mass shooting
As David Gebala said, “Better days will come.” For Maya and all affected, the world prays for miracles, resilience, and peace.
