A small community in British Columbia is reeling after a deadly mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where a 12-year-old girl, Maya, remains in critical condition following a horrific attack.
The incident, which took place on Tuesday, February 10, has left the community in shock and many families grieving.
Victim's Family Issues Update
Maya, a student from Tumbler Ridge, was airlifted to Vancouver Children's Hospital with life-threatening injuries after being shot in both the head and neck, per PEOPLE.
According to a Facebook post from her mother, Cia Edmonds, Maya is currently in critical care, fighting for her life.
"I'm writing this post sitting in Vancouver children’s hospital while my daughter fights for her life," Edmonds shared.
"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 Maya's condition, Edmonds expressed a sense of unexpected relief, acknowledging the heartbreak of the event.
"She was a lucky one, I suppose," Edmonds wrote.
"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."
The Shooter's Identity and the Aftermath
As the community tries to come to terms with the trauma, details have slowly emerged about the suspect, 18-year-old Jesse van Rootselaar, who is believed to have killed their mother and stepbrother at home before heading to the school to continue the violence, per News.com.au.
Police found van Rootselaar at the school with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The total death toll, which includes the shooter, is eight people, with two others found dead in a nearby residence.
Authorities have confirmed that two other individuals, including Maya, were airlifted to hospitals with serious injuries.
As many as 25 additional people were treated for non-life-threatening wounds.
Maya's Struggle
Krysta Hunt, Edmonds' cousin, has been at the forefront of supporting the family during this devastating time.
In a statement to CityNews, Hunt explained the severity of Maya's injuries, including the gunshots that have left her in a medically-induced coma.
"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."
The trauma caused by the bullets is extensive: one struck above Maya's left eye, while the other went through her neck.
Hunt added that the medical team is uncertain whether the bullet in Maya’s neck has passed entirely through or is still inside, but they are currently focusing on the head injury.
"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 shared, expressing cautious optimism in the face of overwhelming uncertainty.
A Community Shattered by Violence
As Maya remains in critical care, her mother, Cia Edmonds, shared an emotional update in a post on Wednesday.
“We were warned that the damage to her brain was too much for her to endure, and she wouldn’t make the night….I can feel her in my heart, can feel her saying it’s going to be OK,” Edmonds wrote.
“She’s here..for how long we don’t know.”
While Edmonds holds out hope for her daughter’s survival, she expressed the profound sense of loss that has gripped the community.
"My heart bleeds for everyone who is trying to process this horrific string of events. Far too many are grieving already. Please. Wish her luck."
In addition to the devastating physical injuries, Maya's family is struggling with the emotional toll of this tragedy.
To help support her recovery and assist the family during this challenging time, Krysta Hunt has organized a GoFundMe campaign.
At the time of writing, the fundraiser had raised over $248,000 toward an $250,000 goal.