A tragic incident occurred earlier this year in Canada, where it appears an American might have played a role in a mass murder at a school. On February 10, Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old who identified as a trans woman, killed his mother and half-brother before heading to a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. At the school, he injured 25 individuals and took the lives of a 39-year-old female teacher and several twelve and thirteen-year-old boys and girls, before ultimately ending his own life.
It now appears that Van Rootselaar had help from a radical individual in Washington state. James Cody Bryant, a 30-year-old resident of Bellingham, was arrested recently and charged with conspiracy to commit murder across borders.
“The Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooting was a devastating event for both that small community and all of Canada. We felt the weight of such violence here in the Pacific Northwest too,” commented acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. He noted the disturbing reality that a Washington resident somehow supported the attack, providing financial assistance, advice, and guidance to the person planning the massacre.
The duo reportedly met through an online chat service, Omegle, before it was discontinued in 2023.
According to a criminal complaint, Bryant allegedly conspired with Van Rootselaar beginning in August 2025. The complaint suggests they agreed on recording the murderer’s livestream of the attack and even exchanged messages about improving the livestream’s quality. Additionally, Bryant offered tactical advice on how to maximize the scale of the tragedy.
Messages found by the FBI indicate that the two discussed ways to enhance the potential for harm. In early August 2025, Van Rootselaar is said to have mentioned wanting to surpass previous kill counts in school shootings, seemingly with Bryant encouraging him about possible success rates.
Furthermore, Bryant provided advice on weapons the shooter could utilize and allegedly offered financial support for purchasing necessary items, including shoes, a lighter for igniting an explosive device, and even stickers for decorating the firearms. They communicated extensively, even discussing the possible presentation of the attack in a way that would minimize lasting evidence of Van Rootselaar’s voice.
Interestingly, Bryant warned the shooter not to alert authorities about their plans, asserting multiple times that he wouldn’t “snitch.” Yet, several weeks prior to the attack, he expressed a desire for Van Rootselaar to reconsider his actions.
On January 4, shortly before the shooting, Bryant conveyed a change of heart, telling the shooter he wished there were alternative paths and that he hoped Van Rootselaar would reconsider. Nonetheless, he reaffirmed his readiness to offer support on the day of the planned attack.
Prosecutors allege that Van Rootselaar shared photos with Bryant depicting himself in women’s clothing and armed, showcasing weapons that were retrieved following the event.
Although Van Rootselaar began identifying as a woman about six years ago, various media outlets, including liberal sources, have continued to misrepresent his identity.
During the massacre, it’s alleged that Bryant confirmed watching the feed of the attack, which was reportedly shut down shortly after it started, and he even gave the shooter guidance on how to drive to the location.
If found guilty, Bryant may face severe penalties, including a life sentence. When asked about the possibility of sending him to Canada for prosecution, Floyd indicated that since the alleged crimes occurred in the U.S., the penalties there might be more severe.
Expressions of sympathy were shared by officials regarding the tragedy, emphasizing the immense suffering experienced by the victims’ families. The cooperation between U.S. and Canadian law enforcement was highlighted as a vital part of the investigation, which began based on tips received from online platforms used by Van Rootselaar.
