A 30-year-old Washington man, James Cody Bryant, has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country for allegedly supporting an 18-year-old in a deadly school shooting in British Columbia, Canada. The investigation revealed months of communication and financial support from Bryant to the shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, who killed eight people before taking her own life.
Charges Announced
Federal authorities have charged a 30-year-old Washington man, James Cody Bryant, with conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country in connection with a deadly school shooting in British Columbia, Canada, in February. The arrest follows a joint investigation by U.S. and Canadian law enforcement agencies.
A U.S. attorney’s office in Seattle announced the charges on October 6, alleging Bryant communicated with 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar for six months prior to the attack. Authorities say Bryant provided financial support, advice on operational security, and encouragement to Van Rootselaar, who killed eight people—including five children and an educational assistant—before taking her own life. Van Rootselaar first killed her mother and stepbrother at home before attacking Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Bryant, who identifies as female, allegedly sent Van Rootselaar more than $100 to purchase items including a lighter intended for an explosive device. Bryant also discussed livestreaming the attack and advised Van Rootselaar on how to evade detection, including deleting online messages and using virtual private networks. While Bryant attempted to dissuade Van Rootselaar at times, authorities allege he ultimately did not report the plot to law enforcement and continued to support the attack.
Key Developments in the Case
- October 6: U.S. authorities announced charges against Bryant during a press conference in Seattle, accompanied by FBI and RCMP officials.
- Communication Timeline: Bryant and Van Rootselaar’s online exchanges spanned 2023 to February 2024, with discussions shifting from general conversation to detailed planning.
- Financial Support: Bryant provided funds for supplies, including a lighter, though no weapons were reportedly sent.
- Motivations Alleged: Investigators cited Van Rootselaar’s focus on notoriety and personal suffering as driving factors in the planning.
Background: The Tumbler Ridge Shooting
On February 23, 2024, Van Rootselaar carried out the deadliest mass shooting in Canada in years. After killing her mother and stepbrother at their home, she entered Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where she fatally shot five students aged 12 and 13, as well as an educational assistant. Twenty-five others were wounded. Van Rootselaar was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene.
Investigative Details
According to court documents cited by authorities, Bryant and Van Rootselaar used multiple online platforms, including Discord and Omegle, to communicate. Their exchanges allegedly included thousands of messages, with discussions becoming increasingly focused on violence. An FBI special agent described the tone of the messages as “particularly difficult to read” due to their casual references to planning mass harm.
Legal Charges and Jurisdiction
Bryant faces a single federal charge: conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The case highlights the challenges of cross-border digital investigations, as authorities from both countries collaborated on the probe.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Bryant is scheduled to appear in federal court in Seattle for an initial hearing. The case raises questions about online radicalization, duty to warn, and the limits of encouragement versus criminal liability in pre-attack communications.