US Man Charged for Role in Canadian School Shooting Plot

WHO:

CNN - U.S. authorities announced that Bryant and Van Rootselaar are both identified as trans women, with officials using male and female pronouns interchangeably during the press conference.

CNN - James Cody Bryant, a 30-year-old from Washington state, was arrested.

CNN - Jesse Van Rootselaar, the 18-year-old Canadian shooter, is identified as a trans woman.

CNN - Neil Floyd, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, provided details at a press conference.

CNN - Assistant Commissioner Elija Rain of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police commented on the case.

CNN - FBI agent Mike Harrington discussed Bryant's alleged actions.

WHAT:

CNN - The money Bryant allegedly sent to Van Rootselaar was primarily intended for a lighter and a pair of shoes that Van Rootselaar "wanted to have when she conducted this killing spree," according to Neil Floyd.

CNN - It was revealed that Bryant was "uncomfortable" with sending weapons to Van Rootselaar, despite discussing it.

CNN - Neil Floyd, the acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, stated that Bryant "agreed to record a live stream feed of the attack and broadcast it in a way that would maximize notoriety for the shooter."

CNN - The money Bryant allegedly sent to Van Rootselaar amounted to a little over $100, primarily for a lighter and a pair of shoes.

CNN - Bryant allegedly offered advice on how to fix a car that failed to start en route to the school after Van Rootselaar killed two family members.

CNN - It was revealed that Bryant agreed to record a live stream feed of the attack and broadcast it to maximize notoriety for the shooter.

CNN - Bryant was charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country.

CNN - The February attack in Tumbler Ridge was Canada’s deadliest school shooting in decades, resulting in eight deaths and dozens of injuries.

CNN - Bryant allegedly provided over $100 to Van Rootselaar for items related to the shooting.

CNN - Seven families of victims sued OpenAI in April after it was revealed that Van Rootselaar used ChatGPT to plan the attack.

WHERE:

CNN - The shooting occurred at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.

CNN - Bryant was arrested in Bellingham, Washington.

CNN - Bryant was scheduled to appear in court in Seattle.

WHEN:

CNN - The shooting took place in February.

CNN - Bryant was arrested on a Tuesday morning.

WHY:

CNN - Assistant Commissioner Elija Rain stated that Canadian authorities contacted the US Department of Homeland Security soon after the shooting, based on "information from one of the online platforms used by the shooter."

CNN - FBI agent Mike Harrington noted that instead of de-escalating or reporting to law enforcement, Bryant "continued to enable the shooter over the months they discussed these plans."

CNN - Instead of alerting law enforcement, Bryant continued to enable the shooter over the months they discussed the plans.

CNN - Bryant allegedly maintained an online friendship with Van Rootselaar and provided support for the planned attack.

HOW:

CNN - Authorities alleged that Bryant "continued to enable the shooter over the months they discussed these plans," instead of de-escalating or reporting to law enforcement.

CNN - Authorities alleged that Bryant was "in repeated contact with" Van Rootselaar, offering advice and sending money, and discussed sending weapons, although he ultimately did not do so.

CNN - Authorities alleged that Bryant was in repeated contact with Van Rootselaar, offering advice and sending money.

CNN - Bryant and Van Rootselaar met on the video chatting website Omegle three years prior to the shooting.

CNN - Bryant allegedly offered advice, sent money, and discussed live streaming the attack on Twitch.

CNN - Bryant provided technical advice and discussed sending weapons to Van Rootselaar, although he ultimately did not do so.

(UPDATED October 7, 2026 05:05 UTC)

Authorities have revealed that Bryant allegedly sent money to Van Rootselaar, which was primarily intended for a lighter and a pair of shoes that she wanted for her planned killing spree. Despite discussing the possibility of sending weapons, Bryant was reportedly "uncomfortable" with the idea, yet he continued to enable the shooter over several months instead of reporting the plans to law enforcement. Following the shooting, Canadian authorities quickly reached out to the US Department of Homeland Security based on information from one of the online platforms used by the shooter.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 23:59 UTC)

U.S. authorities have identified Bryant and Van Rootselaar as trans women, with officials using both male and female pronouns during a recent press conference. Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd revealed that Bryant agreed to record a live stream of the attack to increase notoriety for the shooter, while FBI agent Mike Harrington stated that instead of reporting the plans to law enforcement, Bryant continued to enable the shooter over several months. Authorities allege that Bryant was in frequent contact with Van Rootselaar, providing advice and financial support, and even discussed sending weapons, although he ultimately did not follow through with that plan.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 23:02 UTC)

Authorities have alleged that Bryant was in repeated contact with Van Rootselaar, offering advice and sending money, which included a little over $100 for a lighter and a pair of shoes. Instead of alerting law enforcement, Bryant allegedly enabled the shooter over several months, even offering advice on how to fix a car that had failed to start after Van Rootselaar killed two family members. It was also revealed that Bryant agreed to record a live stream feed of the attack to maximize notoriety for the shooter.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 22:04 UTC)

James Cody Bryant, a 30-year-old from Washington state, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country, linked to the deadly school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, which occurred in February and resulted in eight deaths. Authorities revealed that Bryant allegedly provided over $100 to 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a trans woman identified as the shooter, and maintained an online friendship with her, offering advice and discussing plans for the attack. Bryant was arrested in Bellingham, Washington, and is scheduled to appear in court in Seattle, while seven families of victims have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, citing Van Rootselaar's use of ChatGPT to plan the tragic event.