‘Our baby needs a miracle’: 12-year-old Tumbler Ridge shooting victim in critical condition

One of the children injured in Tuesday’s mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School is being identified online by her mother as 12-year-old Maya Edmonds.

Cia Edmonds said in a post on Facebook and on a GoFundMe page set up by a family member that her daughter is “fighting for her life” at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver after being airlifted out of her northeastern B.C. community following the shooting.

Cia’s post indicates Maya has two gunshot wounds, one in her head and one in her neck.

“This doesn’t even feel real,” the post reads.

“I never thought I would be asking for prayers, but please, please pray for my baby.”

In a subsequent post Wednesday, Cia said her daughter had made it through the night and thanked her community for the “love and support” she has received over the last 24 hours.

“Our baby needs a miracle,” the update reads, noting that doctors initially weren’t sure if Maya would survive into Wednesday.

The girl’s story touched Premier David Eby, who mentioned Maya by name during remarks in Tumbler Ridge Wednesday night.

The premier recounted attending a vigil in the community at which participants were asked to pray in whatever manner they could to send strength to Maya and her family.

“That moment, for me, is representative of the profound tragedy,” Eby said, holding back tears.

“A beautiful child who went to school, was full of joy and love, who’s clinging to life in a hospital right now.”

Eby said the levels of government represented at the news conference—local, provincial and federal—would make sure that supports are available in Tumbler Ridge, while “knowing that they will never be adequate for what you are going through.”

The GoFundMe, which is intended to support Cia remaining by Maya’s side for as long as necessary, has already surpassed $100,000, aided in part by a boost from hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser.

CTV News has reached out to the Edmonds family for more information, but has not received a response.

Nine people, including the shooter, died in Tuesday’s tragedy. Two others, Maya and a 19-year-old woman, were flown out of Tumbler Ridge for treatment.

Police said in an update Wednesday that both had survived the night and were “critical, but stable.”

• Read more: What we know about the victims of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.