Washington state man charged with helping Canadian school shooter
A Washington state man has been arrested on a federal conspiracy charge for allegedly helping a shooter prepare for a deadly school attack in Canada, according to federal prosecutors. He is accused of providing tactical advice, money and technical assistance, including agreeing to broadcast the killings.
James Cody Bryant, 30, of Bellingham, Washington, was arrested Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington. He is charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
The charge concerns the February 10 attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, western Canada. The shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed two family members at home before driving to the school, where she killed five children ages 12 and 13 and an educational assistant.
According to the criminal complaint, the suspect communicated with the shooter on Discord for approximately six months before the attack. Their discussions about plans to kill multiple people began no later than August 2025.
Prosecutors allege he agreed to record and broadcast the attack and repeatedly helped test livestreaming equipment to ensure it would produce a viewable image. He also allegedly advised the shooter on firearms and ways to increase the number of victims.
The suspect sent money for items connected to the attack, including a lighter used to construct an explosive device detonated at the school, according to the complaint. He also allegedly advised the shooter to delete their messages and use virtual private networks, or VPNs, when streaming the attack.
At various points, he tried to persuade her not to carry out the shooting, prosecutors said. But he also assured her that he would not report her to police and would handle the livestream.
Just minutes before the attack, he allegedly confirmed that he was receiving the video feed. After the shooter killed two family members and struggled to start the family car, he gave her advice on getting the engine to turn over, allowing her to travel to the school.
At the school, the shooter detonated an improvised explosive device and fired through locked classroom doors while trying to reach additional rooms. She exchanged gunfire with police before killing herself.
“The Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooting was a horrific tragedy for that small community and for all of Canada,” Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The allegations against the suspect have not been proven in court.
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