Maya Gebala Tried to Lock Out a School Shooter and Survived Being Shot Twice

On February 10, 2026, 12-year-old Maya Gebala tried to lock a library door at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia to keep a shooter out. She was shot before she could secure it. She survived after classmates carried her to safety and doctors performed emergency surgery.

The Attack

That afternoon, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar killed her mother and 11-year-old half-brother at their home in Tumbler Ridge. She then went to the secondary school and opened fire. The attack left eight people dead in total, including five students aged 12 and 13 and an educational assistant. Van Rootselaar died by suicide at the scene.

Inside the school library, Maya attempted to lock the door as the shooter approached. The lock did not work properly. She was shot above her left eye and in the neck. Classmates later noticed her finger still moving. They dragged her under a desk for cover and then helped get her out of the building so she could receive medical help.

Fighting for Survival

Maya was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver in critical condition. She underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed and spent weeks in intensive care. Doctors placed her in a medically induced coma at one point. Over the following months she faced multiple surgeries, including procedures to repair her skull.

Her parents, Cia Edmonds and David Gebala, shared regular updates on her progress. Maya gradually began responding more. By mid-2026 she was communicating with the help of a tablet and showing increased awareness and movement. Her recovery remains long and difficult, but her family has described her progress as remarkable.

A Moment of Courage

Maya’s attempt to secure the library door has been widely recognized as an act of bravery under extreme circumstances. Classmates who stayed with her and helped move her to safety also received praise for their quick actions.

The Tumbler Ridge shooting shocked the small northern British Columbia community and the rest of Canada. Investigations into the attack, the shooter’s background, and access to firearms have continued in the months since. For Maya and her family, the focus has remained on her recovery and the support surrounding them.

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