By The Canadian Press

Tumbler Ridge, B.C. families speak out on children killed in school mass murder

Feb 12, 2026 | 2:00 AM

TUMBLER RIDGE — A tiny town in the shadow of the Rockies learned more Thursday about who they lost in a mass shooting that killed kids as young as 12, with one of those youngsters still battling a grievous bullet wound to the brain.

The mother of 12-year-old Maya Gebala has bullet wounds to the head and neck.

“We were warned that the damage to her brain was too much for her to endure, and she wouldn’t make the night,” Cia Edmonds posted on social media late Wednesday.

“Today started as any other. Now, however, my 12 year old daughter is fighting for her life.”

On Tuesday afternoon, say police, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar shot her mom and younger stepbrother to death in their home before heading to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School loaded with weapons.

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There, she killed five students and an adult staffer and seriously wounded two more students, including Gebala, before firing on approaching police and then taking her own life.

Three girls were killed, all age 12. One has been identified as Kylie Smith, a girl described by her parents as a girl who loved anime and art and dreamt of going to school in Toronto.

“She had the biggest heart and was such a gentle, loving, caring girl, who lit up the way everywhere she went. She couldn’t hurt a fly,” Kylie’s mom, Desirae Pisarski, posted on Facebook.

Another victim was Ticaria Lampert, who a GoFundMe organizer says leaves behind seven siblings and her mother Sarah.

Two boys died, including 12-year-old Abel Mwansa Jr. “My son, I treasured the moment I spent with you, you were a great son still remains a great one to me,” his mother said on Facebook.

“This cut is the deepest.”

The other boy, 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield, was remembered by his grandfather Peter Schofield. “Everything feels so surreal. The tears just keep flowing,” he posted on Facebook.

Tumbler Ridge, its 2,700 residents, and Canada, have seen expressions of support arrive from leaders around the world, from as far away as war-torn Ukraine and Australia.

On Thursday, an official day of mourning in B.C., residents walked through chill winds to continue to lay flowers at a makeshift memorial in the town centre.

B.C. Premier David Eby and his public safety minister, Nina Krieger, quietly added bouquets and stood silently for a few moments before leaving.

One resident said they were thankful for support and hoped the legacy of this one-time coal mining boom town be one of compassion and not pain.

“Our community doesn’t want to be remembered for the place of a tragedy,” Yvonne Poulin told reporters.

“I love this place. I love this town and now I love Canada even more because of what you’ve given to us.”

The night before, young children, teenagers, parents and grandparents huddled against the cold and the grief at a vigil. Mayor Darryl Krakowka mayor told mourners, “It’s OK to cry.”

Mounties continue to investigate.

Police have said that they paid multiple visits to Van Rootselaar’s home on mental health concerns and at one time to seize weapons, which were later returned.

Van Rootselaar, they said, was assigned male at birth but began to transition six years ago. Four years ago, she dropped out of school.

A long gun and a modified handgun were located in the school after the shooting and Mounties say they are working to determined where they came from, who owned them and whether they were legal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2026.

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press