MP recounts heroism of girl, 12, who passed last message of Tumbler Ridge victim onto his parents

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — A 12-year-old girl has been hailed as a “hero” at an annual Christian event after she tried to protect two of her classmates. 

According to a news article by CBC and a video uploaded to Facebook, Bob Zimmer, Conservative MP for Prince George, Peace River and Northern Rockies, called 12-year-old Christina a “hero” at the National Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa on Tuesday, March 24th. 

On February 10th, eight people were shot by 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who also died, at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and at a residence nearby. 

The shooting claimed the lives of Abel Mwansa Junior, Ezekiel Schofield, Kylie Smith, Ticaria Lampert, Zoey Renee Anne Benoit, Emmett Jacobs, Jennifer Jacobs and Shannda Aviugana-Durand, and grievously injured Maya Gebala and Paige Hoekstra, who were airlifted to a hospital in Tumbler Ridge. 

According to the Facebook reel posted to Bob Zimmer’s page, the MP said: “Most of you have heard of who Maya is…Abel Junior was the young boy from Zambia who was also killed…but likely somebody you haven’t heard of is Christina, who was their classmate and friend.” 

He said a 12-year-old named only as Christina is a “hero” who he was “honoured” to meet at Schofield’s funeral. 

“After the shooting began, Maya tried to lock the door of the library to save other kids and keep the shooter out,” he added. “Sadly, Maya wasn’t able to lock the door during the shooting, Maya and Abel Junior, as well as many others, were shot.” 

He explained Christina grabbed a wounded Gebala in her left arm and Mwansa in her right arm and pulled them under the table for protection, holding them both for 30 minutes. 

He said: “A few days after the tragedy, Christina asked to speak with Abel’s family.” 

Christina had something “very” important to tell Mwansa’s parents. 

“[Mwansa asked her to] ‘tell my mom and dad that I love them,’” Zimmer said. 

“Christina promised Abel Junior she would pass it on and she did. The tragic yet beautiful words from a beloved son to his beloved parents, beautiful words they wouldn’t have known except for a promise kept by his heroic classmate Christina.” 

During his speech, Zimmer said he met with Gebala and her family over the weekend, while she is recovering from serious injuries she sustained during the shooting. 

To see fundraisers for all the victims of the tragedy, visit GoFundMe’s Tumbler Ridge Shooting Relief page.