US authorities arrest Washington resident for allegedly conspiring with Canadian school shooter

Federal officials announced Tuesday that a Washington resident has been arrested and charged in connection with a Canadian school shooting in British Columbia earlier this year.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Seattle alleged James Cody Bryant of Bellingham, Washington, communicated with 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar for six months before the shooting and did not report the plans to police. Bryant allegedly conspired with the shooter to broadcast the attacks and has been charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country. 

Van Rootselaar is believed to be the perpetrator behind two shootings in February. The shootings occurred at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence, which resulted in the deaths of eight people and dozens injured. 

Authorities believe Van Rootselaar, who was transgender, shot and killed their mother and stepbrother at home before attacking the school. The teenager was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Bryant allegedly provided advice on what firearms to use and sent Van Rootselaar money to purchase a lighter that would be used to construct an explosive device, authorities said. 

The Washington resident also reportedly tried to talk Van Rootselaar out of committing the attack at various points but failed to contact law enforcement and provided support for Van Rootselaar to carry out the shooting, according to the Associated Press.

“The Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooting was a horrific tragedy for that small community and for all of Canada. Indeed, here in the Pacific Northwest we felt the pain of those families devastated by this violence,” Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said in a statement. “It is even more profoundly disturbing to learn that a resident of Western Washington had a role in the attack and took steps – providing counsel, technical advice, and money to the shooter planning such a tragedy.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.