The mother of 12-year-old Maya Gebala, who is fighting for her life in BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver after being shot in the head and neck in the Tumbler Ridge shooting Feb. 10, has expressed gratitude for the actions of the “true heroes” who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others during the shooting.
In a post on social media, Cia Edmonds has shared new details of what she has been told about that terrible day, saying, “This is a collection of sensitive events told to me through various people.”
“The truth of the story (Maya’s story) was only known by a couple of kids, who are now forced to go forward in life with that forever in their hearts,” Edmonds wrote.
“The kids who were directly a part of it, watched their friends in such … horrific explosions of unimaginable circumstances. Those truths needed real time to come to the surface.”
She says she now believes the entire event lasted a total of three short minutes.
“In three minutes all of that destruction had occurred. Two minutes in, the police showed up. Three. Minutes. With echoing sounds that resemble something similar to the metal workshop down the hall (so I’m told),” she wrote.
“These kids didn’t have enough time to be scared.”
Edmonds says she wants to address the idea that her daughter is a hero, a sentiment that has been echoed repeatedly as tributes and support pour in from around the world.
“The reason I am addressing this now, is, although the story of ‘Maya the hero’ is an amazing tribute, she just doesn’t need that badge,” she wrote.
“I would never want that to ever take from the adults and children who jumped in to do their best while they lived a nightmare most of us could never, for a second, imagine. THOSE are heroes…TRUE heroes.”
Edmonds first speaks of teacher Mark Deeley, whose bravery was praised by B.C. Premier David Eby at a vigil held in the small town three days after the tragedy.
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She says Deeley, once he recognized “the loud jarring sound of gunshots,” was forced to make an “impossible decision.”
“His own son was in the washroom. He made the choice to lock the classroom door, locking his son out, to save the children inside. Once the sound of shots stopped, he opened the door to look for Finn, his son, but instead he found poor Kylie lying in distress,” she wrote, referring to shooting victim Kylie May Smith.
“Mr. Deeley dragged her in the classroom and Finn came after, locking the door behind them.”
She says Deeley, Finn, and a couple other students worked to keep Kylie alive, despite her injuries.
“Those are heroes.”
Edmonds then speaks of acts of heroism beyond that classroom.
“Down the hall, into the library, where a group of kids and one teacher, one beautiful soul of woman, I will add, the carnage erupted in such a way that no one had any time to process the events unfolding.”
Maya’s long-time friend and hockey teammate Christina Walker was sitting at a computer with Maya and shooting victim Abel Mwansa, also 12 years old, standing behind her.
“In mere seconds, Abel and Maya were struck and collapsed. Christina managed to crawl under the computer desk they were at and drag Maya and Abel underneath. She was trying to hide, and hide them. She held them and tried to slow the bleeding,” Edmonds wrote.
“Abel was able to tell Christina, to ‘tell my parents I love them.’ This girl, this child… carried those words on her shoulders, and scarred them heavy in her heart, and brought them to Abel’s parents. She delivered a promise, she will likely never forget.”
“That is a hero… a true hero.”
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Then Edmonds describes what unfolded after police entered and assessed the area.
“…Abbison, one of Maya’s everyday besties, (more like brother) called out to the police on duty ‘Grab Maya, she’s still alive, her finger moved!’ The officer on duty wasted no time, dragged Maya out of the building, into the back of his own police cruiser, and drove her to the hospital,” she wrote.
“I truly believe that, between Christina’s love, Abbison’s observation, and the officer’s ability to act critically, they are the reason Maya has even made it this far to begin with. Those are forever heroes. I’m eternally grateful for them, and I hope they will always know that.”
She ends her post by expressing gratitude for all the love that has been sent to her daughter.
“I think that is truly incredible.”