A 12-year-old girl is fighting for her life after the mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, on Tuesday, February 10.
As of now, nine people have been confirmed dead, and 27 others were injured in what authorities describe as the fourth deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history.
Among the injured is 12-year-old Maya, a student at the school, who was airlifted to Vancouver Children’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries. According to a report from PEOPLE, she suffered gunshot wounds to the head and neck.
Her mother, Cia Edmonds, shared a heartbreaking update from her daughter’s hospital bedside.
“I’m writing this post sitting in Vancouver children’s hospital while my daughter fights for her life,” Edmonds wrote on Facebook.
“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 gun shot wound to the head. And one to the neck.”
Despite the severity of her injuries, Edmonds described her daughter as “a lucky one, I suppose,” acknowledging the devastating toll the attack has taken on other families.
“Condolences to the other families during this tragedy… This doesnt even feel real… I never thought I would be asking for prayers.. but please please, pray for my baby.”
In a statement to CityNews, Krysta Hunt, Edmonds’ cousin, provided additional details about Maya’s condition. She confirmed that doctors performed surgery to address a brain bleed and are closely monitoring how she responds.
“She had surgery yesterday to try and repair the brain bleed, and they are waiting to see how she responds to that,” Hunt said. “She’s fighting for her life right now.”
Medical teams are reportedly still determining whether the bullet wound to Maya’s neck passed through or remains lodged.
“She wasn’t sure that she would make it through the night, so the fact that she has shows so much, just in that progress,” Hunt added.
Authorities have identified 18-year-old Jesse van Rootselaar as the suspected gunman. According to reports, he allegedly killed his mother and stepbrother at home before traveling to the school. He was later found dead at the scene from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
As investigators continue piecing together the events leading up to the tragedy, the community of Tumbler Ridge remains in shock. Vigils and tributes have begun to emerge as families grapple with unimaginable loss.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help support Maya’s medical care and long-term recovery. The fundraiser has raised more than $255,000 so far.
The shooting has once again ignited conversations across Canada about school safety, mental health, and gun violence prevention. For now, however, the focus in Vancouver remains on a hospital room where a 12-year-old girl continues to fight.
Our thoughts remain with Maya, her family, and every family affected by this devastating attack.
