A Day That Shouldn’t Have Happened: What We Know About the Tumbler Ridge School Shooting
On the afternoon of February 10, 2026, in the small mountain town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia — a community of just about 2,400 people — life changed forever. What began as a typical school day at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School turned into a scene of horrifying violence when an 18-year-old opened fire in and around the school, killing multiple people and injuring many others.
The shooter, identified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as Jesse Van Rootselaar, first fatally shot her own mother and 11-year-old stepbrother at their home before walking to the school and unleashing an attack that would leave the nation in shock.
Inside the school, the violence was swift and devastating:
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Six people were found dead at the school, including:
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Three 12-year-old girls
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Two boys — aged 12 and 13
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A 39-year-old education assistant
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Additional victims outside the school brought the total to eight lives lost before the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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Nearly 30 people were injured, many of them children — some critically.
This event became one of the deadliest school shootings in Canada’s history – a country where such violence is, until now, far rarer than in some other parts of the world.
Amid this collective tragedy, one story — of courage, pain, and hope — captured national and international attention and touched people deeply around the world…
Who Is Maya? The 12-Year-Old Fighting for Her Life
Among those critically injured was 12-year-old Maya (last name reported variably as Edmonds or Gebala in local media accounts) — a young student who, according to family and friends, was trying to protect her classmates when she was struck by gunfire.
Maya was located in the school library at the time of the attack. As chaos unfolded, she and other students attempted to lock the door to keep the shooter out. When that plan failed, Maya and her classmates sought cover — but in the process, Maya was shot twice: once in the head and once in the neck.
Paramedics and first responders worked quickly to evacuate her to safety. She was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, where she was placed into a medically induced coma and underwent emergency surgery to address brain bleeding and serious trauma to her head and neck.
Doctors have described her condition as critical, with uncertainty about the full extent of long-term outcomes. However, progress — however slight — has given her family a fragile glimmer of hope.
A Mother’s Heartbreak: “Pray for My Baby”
Maya’s mother, Cia Edmonds, shared a deeply emotional update on social media — one that has been echoed in news reports and quickly resonated with people around the world:
“Today started as any other. 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 … I never thought I would be asking for prayers … but please, please — pray for my baby.”
Those words were posted on Facebook, alongside updates shared by family members on GoFundMe platforms set up to support Maya’s medical care and allow Cia to remain by her daughter’s side without financial strain.
For a family already plunged into trauma, this moment — waiting, hoping, praying — has become their new reality. As Cia described it, the journey ahead is uncertain, frightening, and heartbreaking.
The Long Road Ahead: Recovery, Challenges, and the Unknown
In the days following the shooting, Maya’s condition showed small signs of hope — a slight decrease in swelling and movements observed in her hand — but her mother acknowledged the reality that lies ahead: the road to recovery will be long, grueling, and the outcomes uncertain.
Doctors face the complex task of addressing severe brain trauma — a condition where progress cannot be rushed, and every small improvement carries immense emotional weight. Many families of trauma survivors describe this as an emotional rollercoaster: moments of relief shadowed by fear and anxiety for what the future may hold.
To help cover medical care expenses, travel, lodging, time off work, and rehabilitation support, family and friends have raised tens of thousands of dollars online — with many donations coming from strangers moved by the story.
In the face of such suffering, Maya’s mother said:
“Not a huge update, swelling is going down, the doctor keeps layering on the worst news ever … but we wait, and we keep hoping.”
It’s a simple phrase that captures a powerful emotional truth: hope persists, even in the darkest moments.
How Maya’s Courage Touched Others
Though she is fighting for her life, Maya’s story has also been framed as one of courage and selflessness.
According to family members and local news accounts, Maya was not just caught in the crossfire — she was trying to take action that might protect others. Families of other students described how she stepped forward to help lock the library door and shield classmates, embodying bravery well beyond her years.
For many around the world, this detail transformed Maya’s story from one of a victim to a symbol of youthful courage in the face of unimaginable fear — reminding communities everywhere what children are capable of when confronted with crisis.
Community Grief: Remembering Loss and Lives Changed
While Maya fights for life, many others were not as fortunate. Several students were killed, including:
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Kylie Smith, 12, described by her family as loving art and dreaming of a future in Toronto;
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Zoey Benoit, 12, remembered for her singing voice and joy;
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Ticaria “Tiki” Lampert, 12, whose mother shared the deep void her absence has left;
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Abel Mwansa Jr., 12, and Ezekiel Schofield, 13 — beloved classmates and young lives cut short;
Their families, friends, teachers, and classmates are now grappling with loss that is both sudden and profound — a pain no parent should ever have to endure.
A Nation’s Response: Solidarity, Shock, and Reflection
Canada’s leaders, citizens, and international observers reacted to the shooting with shock. Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Tumbler Ridge, expressed deep condolences, and ordered flags at half-mast — gestures that acknowledged the scope of national grief.
Across the country, communities held vigils, moments of silence, and memorials. People shared condolences, lit candles, and offered support for the affected families — a collective response that reflected both sorrow and unity.
This tragedy has renewed conversations around school safety, mental health support, community awareness, and gun safety laws in Canada. While such violence is historically uncommon in the country, the events in Tumbler Ridge have challenged assumptions about safety, preparedness, and the support systems in place for vulnerable individuals.
Looking Ahead: Healing, Accountability, and Hope
In the weeks and months ahead, Tumbler Ridge and Canada at large face difficult questions:
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How do communities recover from such tragedy?
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What support structures can ensure mental health crises are addressed before they escalate?
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How can schools be better protected while remaining welcoming spaces for learning?
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What can be done to support survivors and families long after public attention fades?
For Maya’s mother and countless others, the hardest part of this journey is not the immediate aftermath — it’s the long road forward.
“We still have to believe,” Maya’s family said. “We still have to hope.”
And for the world watching — that hope, fragile though it may be, is something worth sharing.
Conclusion
The tragic shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School will forever mark the lives of those who were there, those who loved the victims, and those who simply heard about it from afar.
This was a story of devastating loss — but also one of bravery, resilience, and the enduring strength of family and community. Among the heartbreak, the fight of one young girl and the love of a mother remind us once again of the preciousness of life, the pain of grief, and the power of hope.
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