Twelve-year-old Tumbler Ridge survivor now breathing on her own

A young survivor of the shocking Tumbler Ridge shooting is fighting back, now breathing on her own after being shot three times in the brutal attack by Jesse Strang (Van Rootselaar).

Source: Facebook

A young survivor of the shocking Tumbler Ridge shooting is fighting back, now breathing on her own after being shot three times in the brutal attack by Jesse Strang (Van Rootselaar).

Twelve-year-old Maya Gebala was flown to Vancouver for emergency treatment following the deadly attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia earlier this month. The attack resulted in eight deaths, including six children aged 11 to 13.

“Every single day, you show us just how strong, determined, and incredible you truly are. 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,” her father, David Gebala, wrote on social media Wednesday.

“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.”

Maya’s mother, Cia Edmonds, launched a GoFundMe page, which also provided an update that the pressure on her daughter’s ventilator had reduced because she was taking her own breaths.

“Im writing this post sitting in Vancouver children’s hospital while my daughter fights for her life,” Edmonds said. “She was a lucky one, I suppose. Condolences to the other families during this tragedy.This doesn’t even feel real. I never thought I would be asking for prayers.. but please please, pray for my baby.”

Maya had attempted to lock the door to the library at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School after hearing the shooting.

However, the 18-year-old killer entered through the doorway and murdered five people, while another person was shot and killed in a stairwell.

Maya was hit three times: the first shot grazed her cheek, while the second two penetrated her brain and neck.

Initially, she was not expected to survive but has continued to show signs of improvement. However, her injuries will be permanent, including paralysis on her right side.