A transgender resident of Washington state has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder in connection with a mass shooting at a Canadian secondary school that left eight people dead. James Cody Bryant, 30, of Bellingham, was taken into custody Tuesday morning by federal authorities.
Prosecutors allege that Bryant, who identifies as female, provided financial assistance, advice, and agreed to broadcast the Feb. 10 attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. The shooter, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, also identified as transgender.
"Bryant had the information and ability to alert law enforcement, and even discussed that possibility with the shooter, but he chose not to," said Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd at a news conference in Seattle. "Instead, he encouraged and offered assistance to a murderer."
FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington stated that Bryant assisted Van Rootselaar in traveling to the school after the initial killings of his mother and stepbrother. "In the complaint, Bryant even admits to being maybe the only one who could stop the shooter," Herrington added.
Investigators revealed that Bryant and Van Rootselaar met approximately three years prior through the online chat service Omegle. Their online interactions evolved into discussions about violence over at least six months. "This complaint was particularly difficult to read, in part because of the casual tone these two individuals used when discussing the mass taking of innocent lives that was being planned," Herrington said.
Bryant allegedly agreed to help maximize the shooter's notoriety by recording and livestreaming the attack on Twitch. "Bryant even stayed awake after an overnight work shift to make sure this horrific act could be widely viewed online," Herrington noted. The attempted livestream lasted about 20 seconds before it was shut down. Officials have not determined if Van Rootselaar would have proceeded with the attack without Bryant's involvement.
Financial assistance from Bryant to Van Rootselaar included over $100 for shoes and an attempted transfer of approximately $15 for a lighter, which was ultimately reversed. While the pair discussed sending weapons to Canada, Bryant reportedly expressed discomfort with the idea, and investigators have found no indication that the firearms used in the attack originated from the U.S.
Herrington described the shooter's focus on notoriety and his desire for the attack to gain significant attention, comparing it to other mass shootings. The communications between Bryant and Van Rootselaar included discussions about how the public reacted to past attacks.
Canadian authorities were alerted to the situation by an online platform used by the shooter, leading to contact with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The investigation involved reviewing thousands of communications, primarily on Discord.
"If you think you are safe from prosecution because you did not pull the trigger, or were not physically present at the scene of the crime, think again," Herrington warned. "The FBI and our partners will use all of the considerable investigative tools at our disposal to hold accountable those who enable or assist in acts of mass violence."
The Feb. 10 attack claimed the lives of eight victims, including five students, an educator, the shooter's mother, and his 11-year-old stepbrother. Van Rootselaar was found deceased at the school from an apparent self-inflicted injury.