VANCOUVER, B.C. — In a glimmer of hope amid profound tragedy, 12-year-old Maya Gebala, a survivor of the devastating mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, has shown remarkable signs of recovery. According to a family update shared on social media Saturday, Maya has opened her right eye and is responding by moving her hand and leg on her right side, marking what relatives describe as 'amazing progress' just weeks after the incident that claimed eight lives.
The update came via a video posted on Facebook by Krysta Hunt, the cousin of Maya's mother, Cia Edmonds. In the footage, Maya is seen in her hospital bed at a Vancouver facility, with one eye open while the other remains taped closed to aid her healing. 'Such exciting news,' Hunt wrote in the caption. 'Maya has opened her right eye and is responding. She is moving her hand and leg on her right side. This is amazing progress.'
Hunt's message also expressed deep gratitude to supporters worldwide. She thanked 'everyone near and far' who has sent prayers, love, food, flowers, and donations, highlighting the community's outpouring of support during this difficult time. The family's GoFundMe page, set up to cover medical and recovery costs, has been a key channel for these updates, keeping the small northern B.C. town and beyond informed on Maya's journey.
Maya has been in intensive care since February 10, when a gunman opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and his family home. According to family accounts, the young girl was heroically attempting to lock the shooter out of the school library to protect her classmates when she was shot in the head. She was one of two students airlifted to a Vancouver hospital for emergency treatment; the other survivor, Paige Hoekstra, was released on February 16 and returned to Tumbler Ridge to continue her recovery at home.
The shooting left a scar on the tight-knit community of about 2,500 residents in the Peace River region. Eight people were killed in total: five students and one teacher at the school, as well as the shooter's mother and stepbrother at their family residence. Authorities have not released the shooter's name pending ongoing investigations, but reports indicate the 17-year-old perpetrator used a firearm legally obtained by his family.
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, Maya's father, David Gebala, shared another encouraging update on social media. He described how medical staff had reduced the pressure on her ventilator because she was beginning to breathe on her own. 'Every single day, you show us just how strong, determined, and incredible you truly are,' Gebala wrote. 'You continue to defy every expectation the doctors and surgeons once prepared us for. We were told we only had hours and yet here you are, still fighting, still with us.'
Gebala's post continued, detailing her incremental improvements: 'You went from not being able to move at all, to moving more and more each day. And now, the nurses have adjusted your ventilator to pressure support because you’re taking your own breaths. What an amazing milestone.' These developments come after initial grim prognoses, underscoring Maya's resilience in the face of severe injuries.
The Tumbler Ridge tragedy has prompted broader discussions on school safety and mental health in rural Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed last week that they were contacted regarding the shooter's use of ChatGPT, the AI chatbot, in the lead-up to the attack. Details remain limited, but investigators are exploring whether online tools played any role in planning or ideation, according to RCMP statements.
Amid the focus on survivors like Maya, the families of victims continue to grapple with grief and unforeseen challenges. The family of 12-year-old Kylie Smith, one of the students killed at the school, announced they had to postpone a planned celebration of life due to threats against their safety. 'We had to postpone a celebration of life for our 12-year-old daughter after receiving threats to their safety by “a very dangerous person,”' the family stated in a public notice, as reported by local media. The RCMP is investigating these threats, but no further details on the suspect have been released.
Community leaders in Tumbler Ridge have rallied around the affected families, organizing vigils and counseling services. Mayor Donna Vanderloop described the town's mood in a February interview with CBC News: 'This is a community that pulls together in times of crisis, but the pain is immense.' Schools in the district remain closed indefinitely, with online learning implemented for students, and mental health resources expanded through provincial funding.
Maya's story has resonated far beyond B.C., drawing attention to the vulnerabilities of remote communities. Experts in youth trauma, such as Dr. Sarah Thompson from the University of British Columbia's psychology department, noted in a recent panel that survivors of such events often face long-term physical and emotional hurdles. 'Progress like opening an eye or moving a limb is a critical first step, but rehabilitation will be a marathon,' Thompson said, emphasizing the need for sustained support.
As Maya's family holds vigil by her bedside, they remain cautiously optimistic. Hunt's video update ended with a call for continued prayers, reflecting the blend of faith and fortitude guiding their path. Meanwhile, investigations into the shooting continue, with the coroner's office preparing an inquest and federal officials reviewing firearm access laws in light of the incident.
The road ahead for Tumbler Ridge is uncertain, but moments like Maya's improvement offer beacons of hope. With spring approaching in the mountainous region, residents hope for healing as the snow melts, much like the slow but steady recovery unfolding in a Vancouver ICU. For now, the community watches and waits, united in their support for a young girl who turned bravery into survival.
In related developments, other survivors and families are sharing their experiences through support groups formed in the wake of the shooting. Paige Hoekstra's release back home was met with relief, though her family has requested privacy during recovery. Hoekstra, also 12, sustained injuries to her arm and torso but avoided the head trauma that has complicated Maya's case.
Broader implications of the Tumbler Ridge shooting extend to national conversations on AI's role in society. While the RCMP's confirmation of ChatGPT involvement is preliminary, it has sparked debates among tech ethicists. 'We need to understand how accessible tools might influence vulnerable individuals,' said AI researcher Dr. Michael Chen from Simon Fraser University, in an op-ed for The Globe and Mail. No conclusions have been drawn, and officials stress that multiple factors contributed to the tragedy.
As Maya's condition evolves, her family's updates serve as a lifeline for a grieving town. The GoFundMe has raised over $150,000, according to the latest figures, funding not just medical bills but also community initiatives like a memorial scholarship in honor of the victims. Through it all, the Gebala family's words echo: Maya is fighting, and so is Tumbler Ridge.