Maya Gebala, a 13-year-old survivor of the Tumbler Ridge school shooting in British Columbia, has returned home after 262 days in hospital.
She was shot three times during the February 10, 2026, attack. Doctors initially warned her family that she might not survive the night. But after months of treatment, five surgeries and rehabilitation, Maya left BC Children’s Hospital on October 29.
Her recovery has brought encouragement to her family and the wider community. On November 3, she was also recognized with a Youth Heroism Award from a U.S.-based foundation.
What Happened to Maya Gebala at Tumbler Ridge?
Maya was 12 years old when the shooting unfolded at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on February 10.
Eight victims were killed in the attacks, including five students, a school staff member and two relatives of the shooter at another location. The shooter also died.
Maya was among those critically injured. She suffered three gunshot wounds, including injuries to her head and neck.
Early reports, citing her aunt, said Maya had tried to secure the school library door to protect other students before hiding beneath a table. Her mother, Cia Edmonds, later challenged that initial account, saying the confusion following the attack had led to an inaccurate description.
According to the later account, classmates helped protect Maya after she was injured, and another student noticed signs that she was still alive. The exact sequence of events around the library has therefore been reported differently.
Global News reported the family's initial account on February 11.
Doctors Feared She Would Not Survive the Night
Maya was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, where medical teams worked to treat severe brain injuries.
Her father, David Gebala, later recalled the warning the family received on the day she arrived. The doctors, he said, did not expect her to survive that first night.
Maya survived, but her condition remained serious. She needed extended hospital care and underwent repeated operations.
Her family shared updates over the following months, documenting both difficult setbacks and small signs of progress.
Five Surgeries and a Long Road to Recovery
Maya underwent five surgeries during her hospitalization, including a procedure involving a prosthetic skull piece.
Her father outlined a series of milestones in an October 29 statement.
He recalled her first eye movements and the moment she could breathe without a ventilator. Later, she was able to spend time outside and communicate through a tablet.
One especially memorable moment came when Maya intentionally smiled while playing thumb war with her father.
Months after the shooting, she also began speaking again. Her mother shared a video in September in which Maya said “mom.”
Each step marked progress, although her recovery remained complex and ongoing.
Maya Celebrated Her 13th Birthday During Her Recovery
In September, Maya turned 13.
Her father said the family marked the occasion with a visit to a Foo Fighters concert, one of several trips she was able to take away from hospital before her release.
On October 29, David announced that Maya was finally leaving the hospital after 262 days.
A video shared by her father showed Maya reacting to the news that she could go home, raising her arm in celebration.
He also thanked the doctors, nurses, therapists and supporters who helped the family.
According to The Canadian Press, published October 29, David called the discharge a milestone many had feared would never come.
Maya Receives a Youth Heroism Award
Just days after Maya's release, the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, announced that she had received its Youth Heroism Award.
The foundation, created after the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Texas, recognizes young people for courage, compassion and leadership.
Maya became the foundation's first international award recipient.
Its announcement referred to accounts of Maya attempting to protect others at school, as well as the determination she showed through her recovery.
The Canadian Press reported the award on November 3, 2026.
What Is Maya Gebala's Condition Now?
Maya's release from hospital is a major step, but it does not mean her recovery is complete.
Her father said the road ahead remains long. Her family has continued to document her progress and express appreciation for the people who supported her.
In his October 29 message, David described Maya as “the bravest person I know.”
After more than eight months of hospital treatment, her return home marks a new chapter in recovery from an attack that devastated her community.