A Washington state man has been charged with conspiring to assist in the February Tumbler Ridge school shooting that left eight people dead, according to US prosecutors.
James Cody Bryant, 30, was arrested and charged Tuesday with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in aiding Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, who carried out the deadly attack at a British Columbia school on February 10.
Court documents reveal extensive digital communications between Bryant and Van Rootselaar, including tactical discussions about the planned attack and financial support for equipment used during the massacre.
Digital Connection and Planning
The pair first connected approximately three years ago on Omegle, an online chat platform that was shut down in 2023 following concerns about misuse. According to officials, Bryant and Van Rootselaar maintained intermittent contact over the years before beginning daily communications through Discord in the six months leading up to the shooting.
“Bryant and Van Rootselaar had numerous conversations relating to Van Rootselaar’s planning and preparation for the murders, including discussing potential attack locations, the way the attack would unfold, and related topics,” court documents state. During these exchanges, Bryant allegedly provided tactical advice regarding the execution of the attack.
FBI Special Agent W. Mike Herrington described the chat logs as particularly disturbing, noting the casual manner in which the pair discussed their plans. “It was particularly difficult to read, in part because of the casual tone these two individuals used,” he said.
The financial transactions between the pair included funds sent through digital platforms to purchase items used in the attack, such as footwear worn by Van Rootselaar during the massacre and a lighter used to detonate an explosive device inside the school.
Livestream Ambitions and Warnings
Court records indicate that Van Rootselaar expressed aspirations to become one of Canada’s most notorious mass killers, discussing historical death tolls from previous Canadian shootings and wondering whether she could “steal that title” and attract followers.
Van Rootselaar was reportedly insistent that the murders be livestreamed and broadcast online, with Bryant allegedly assisting in testing streaming methods and agreeing to help distribute the footage. On the day of the attack, the pair briefly succeeded in broadcasting video on Twitch immediately after Van Rootselaar killed her mother and half-brother at their residence.
“The livestream lasted approximately 20 seconds before it was disconnected,” according to court documents. Records from Twitch show Van Rootselaar’s stream was viewed by only one account.
In contrast to these disturbing plans, investigators found evidence that Bryant attempted to dissuade Van Rootselaar from carrying out the attack. In January, Bryant allegedly told Van Rootselaar that attacking a school was a “bad idea because there would be too many young victims.”
“I truly hope you reconsider today. I wish there were any other path for you, you shouldn’t have to do something like this. I wish I knew what I could say or do to change your mind,” Bryant wrote in a January chat log, according to investigators.
Weapon Discussions and Investigation Challenges
Court documents and interviews with Bryant reveal detailed discussions about weapons, parts, and ammunition in the months preceding the shooting. Approximately six months before the attack, Van Rootselaar allegedly told Bryant that she had stolen guns and ammunition from her family’s gun safe and was hiding them in preparation for a mass shooting.
The investigation required extensive legal processes, with Acting US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd stating that investigators had to obtain subpoenas and warrants to access communications, sifting through “thousands” of messages between the pair.
Van Rootselaar reportedly sent Bryant videos of herself testing firearms with 3D-printed silencers and requested gun kits for semi-automatic handguns and 3D-printed firearms, though Bryant allegedly did not send these items.
The RCMP has declined to disclose specific details about weapons used in the attack, citing ongoing investigations.
Why it Matters
This case highlights critical gaps in monitoring online radicalisation and cross-border criminal coordination, raising urgent questions about how law enforcement agencies can better detect and prevent mass violence before it occurs. The involvement of digital platforms in facilitating both the planning and attempted broadcast of such attacks underscores the need for enhanced international cooperation and more robust oversight of online spaces where dangerous ideologies can flourish unchecked.
