VANCOUVER — The father of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass shooting victim Maya Gebala says his daughter has been transferred out of intensive care into a “recovery and rehab-focused unit.”
David Gebala says in a Facebook post that the 12-year-old doesn’t seem to be in as much pain now, and is more energetic with her colour coming back.
He says the time spent in the intensive care unit was a “whirlwind” of highs and lows, but she’s slowly making progress.
Gebala says he was “completely overwhelmed” as Maya was able to sit up with the help of hospital therapists, and he was “finally able” to wrap his arms around her.
Gebala says he can’t put into words how hugging his daughter felt in the moment, and all he wanted to do was “lift her up, hold her close and never let go.”
Maya is being treated at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for injuries including a gunshot wound to the head suffered in the mass shooting in February.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2026.
The Canadian Press
