Bellingham Man Charged in Tumbler Ridge Shooting Plot

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A 30-year-old Bellingham resident was arrested Tuesday and charged with conspiring to commit murder in a foreign country after federal investigators accused him of helping an 18-year-old Canadian school shooter plan and carry out the February attack in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.

James Cody Bryant allegedly communicated with Jesse Van Rootselaar for at least six months before the Feb. 10 shooting, providing advice, money and technical assistance while agreeing to help livestream the attack, according to a federal criminal complaint.

The shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School left eight victims dead and 25 people injured. Van Rootselaar also killed two family members at a residence before going to the school and later died by suicide.

Federal prosecutors say Bryant and Van Rootselaar began communicating through Discord no later than August 2025 about a plan to kill multiple people in Canada.

According to the complaint, Bryant supported the plan in several ways while also trying at times to persuade Van Rootselaar not to carry out the attack.

Bellingham man allegedly agreed to livestream attack

Investigators say Bryant agreed to record and broadcast the shooting and helped Van Rootselaar test livestreaming equipment before the attack.

The complaint alleges Bryant also provided advice related to the planned attack and sent money to Van Rootselaar for items she wanted to obtain. Investigators say one of those items was later used in connection with an explosive device during the school attack.

Bryant also allegedly advised Van Rootselaar on keeping the plan secret, including deleting messages and using virtual private networks while streaming.

Federal officials said Bryant had opportunities to alert law enforcement but did not do so.

“James Cody Bryant had the information and ability to alert law enforcement. He chose not to.”

— W. Mike Herrington, FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge

The complaint says Bryant and Van Rootselaar remained in contact immediately before the shooting. Bryant allegedly confirmed he was receiving the livestream shortly before the attack began.

Investigators also allege Bryant provided assistance after Van Rootselaar had already killed two family members and was trying to reach the school.

Tumbler Ridge shooting left eight victims dead

Van Rootselaar first killed two family members at a residence on Feb. 10 before traveling to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.

At the school, five students ages 12 and 13 and an educational assistant were killed. The RCMP previously reported that a total of nine people died in the incident, including Van Rootselaar. Two additional victims were seriously injured.

Police responded to the school after receiving a report of an active shooter shortly after 1:20 p.m. Pacific time. Officers exchanged gunfire with Van Rootselaar, who later died by suicide.

The RCMP continued its investigation for months, working with the FBI and conducting digital forensic work involving electronic devices and online accounts. In July, the RCMP said investigators had made significant progress but had not ruled out the possibility of additional charges.

Federal charge carries potential life sentence

Bryant faces one count of conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

“The Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooting was a horrific tragedy for that small community and for all of Canada. It is even more profoundly disturbing to learn that a resident of Western Washington had a role in the attack.”

— Neil Floyd, Acting U.S. Attorney

Floyd said the investigation found that Bryant provided counsel, technical advice and money to Van Rootselaar while knowing about the planned attack.

FBI officials said the investigation was conducted with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg with assistance from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

The charges against Bryant are allegations contained in a criminal complaint. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

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