12-year-old hockey player fights for life after tragic Tumbler Ridge shooting

The National Hockey League released a statement Wednesday morning expressing its condolences following Tuesday’s tragic school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, which claimed the lives of nine people and left 27 more injured. The violence erupted at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, with authorities confirming victims were found both inside the school and at a nearby residence connected to the incident. The suspect, later found deceased inside the school, was identified as 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a local resident.

Among those injured is 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who remains in critical condition at Vancouver Children’s Hospital after sustaining severe head and neck injuries from flying debris during the attack. Her mother, Cia Edmonds, has stayed by her side, describing the day as beginning like any other before turning into a nightmare no family could imagine. While Maya is considered “one of the lucky ones,” her mother’s plea for prayers resonates far beyond the small town, as the community grapples with profound loss.

Maya, a talented defender for the Tumbler Ridge Raptors under-13 hockey team, is well-known throughout the tight-knit town. Mayor Darryl Krakowka described the tragedy as having shaken the community to its core, noting that nearly every resident personally knows those affected.

Hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser shared a GoFundMe link to support Maya and her family, writing:

“Hockey do your thing.”

In towns like Tumbler Ridge, hockey is more than a sport; arenas are gathering places, a source of connection and resilience. In moments like these, the hockey world pauses, standing in solidarity with those enduring unimaginable grief.

If you can, help out this little hockey warrior and her family.