Tumbler Ridge Shooting Victim Maya Gebala Suffers Significant Brain Damage
Maya Gebala, the 12-year-old girl fighting for her life after the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting on February 10, 2026, has sustained significant damage to the left side of her brain, according to a Facebook update from her mother, Cia Edmonds. Maya remains in critical condition at B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver following surgery for multiple gunshot wounds.
Details of the Injury and Recovery
Edmonds revealed that the bullet caused damage to Maya's brain stem upon exit, with swelling complicating the prognosis. "Because of the damage and swelling surrounding it, it is hard to say how much response and deliberate function she will be able to regain, however, we are hopeful," she wrote. "There's significant damage to the left side of her brain, that is where the bullet entered and exited, it tore right through."
The shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, resulted in the deaths of nine people, including the shooter, and left 27 others injured. Maya is among those injured, with her condition drawing widespread attention and support.
Mother's Emotional Update and Concerns
Edmonds described Maya's progress as "uplifting" but expressed fears about potential setbacks. "The progress is so uplifting, I dread the day it plateaus," she wrote. "She has been cleared for a feeding tube and is thankfully not considered to pass in the immediate future. There are still many fears. There are still risks her heart could stop ... there is fluid build up in her lungs, or of course ... She may just stop progressing, and this is it."
Despite the challenges, Edmonds remains hopeful, attributing Maya's survival in part to the global outpouring of support. "I believe that positive energy and prayer has helped her to rise above the imminent and dire initial expectations," she noted. "We cannot stop now, we have so far to go yet."
Family Requests Privacy and Support
While grateful for the support, Edmonds has asked well-wishers to refrain from visiting the hospital to allow Maya and other families privacy. "Hey I have caught wind of a post that was made regarding a person wanting to fill several buses with people to come visit maya???" she wrote. "That is very unacceptable. There are other children and families with their own flavor of tragedy and the last thing they need is to feel bombarded.. Maya also needs rest."
To assist with medical expenses and recovery efforts, GoFundMe pages have been set up for Maya and for the family of her 13-year-old friend Ezekiel Schofield, who was killed in the shooting. As of Monday afternoon, over $420,000 has been raised for Maya's fund, demonstrating the community's solidarity in this tragic time.
Maya's story continues to unfold as she battles for recovery, with her family holding onto hope amidst the uncertainty of her condition.
