The FBI arrested a 30-year-old Bellingham, Washington resident on Tuesday and charged him with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country for allegedly coaching, funding, and agreeing to broadcast the February 10 slaughter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, the attack that left 8 people dead, including 5 children.
James Cody Bryant was taken into custody in Bellingham and appeared in federal court in Seattle.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
According to the Department of Justice announcement and the accompanying 41-page FBI criminal complaint, Bryant allegedly maintained extensive communications with 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar during the six months before the February 10 massacre.
Both Bryant and Van Rootselaar were born male and identified as transgender women, according to police and federal officials.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in February that Van Rootselaar was “born a biological male” who began identifying as female about six years earlier.
On Tuesday, U.S. officials said they understood Bryant was also born male and identified as female.
Van Rootselaar first murdered her mother and stepbrother at the family home before driving to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, federal investigators said.
Inside the school, Van Rootselaar killed five children between the ages of 12 and 13 and an educational assistant, seriously wounded other students, detonated an improvised explosive device, and fired through locked classroom doors before exchanging gunfire with police and ultimately dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Eight victims were murdered in total, six at the school and two at the family residence. Department of Justice
And according to federal officials, Van Rootselaar was not operating in an online vacuum.
FBI: Bryant Allegedly Helped Plan and Promote the Bloodbath
The FBI complaint alleges that Bryant and Van Rootselaar communicated repeatedly on Discord about weapons, potential targets, livestreaming the murders, hiding their communications, and maximizing the attack’s impact.
During one discussion about possible locations, Bryant allegedly offered chilling tactical advice, writing: “Wide open spaces means numbers.”
Investigators say Bryant also helped Van Rootselaar test the livestream setup ahead of the massacre and agreed to record and redistribute the video online.
Federal prosecutors further allege that Bryant sent money that ultimately funded items connected to the attack.
The complaint says Bryant purchased the shoes Van Rootselaar later wore during the massacre and sent money for a lighter intended for an explosive device.
Investigators also documented discussions about money for stickers placed on firearms.
One photograph included in the federal complaint shows a shotgun posed directly in front of a transgender pride flag with a transgender-themed sticker attached to the firearm.
After Van Rootselaar sent Bryant the image, Bryant allegedly replied: “love the stickers.”
Other photographs and reporting on the complaint show weapons and accessories decorated in the blue, pink, and white colors associated with the transgender pride flag.
Perhaps most disturbing are the allegations that Bryant understood there was an opportunity to warn authorities, and repeatedly promised not to do it.
According to the FBI complaint, Bryant acknowledged potentially being able to “save lives I guess,” but repeatedly assured Van Rootselaar that law enforcement would not be contacted.
In another exchange cited by investigators, Bryant allegedly wrote: “I still won’t snitch.”
The DOJ says Bryant did occasionally urge Van Rootselaar not to carry out the attack. But prosecutors allege Bryant nevertheless continued assisting with preparations and never alerted authorities.
Even after Van Rootselaar had allegedly murdered two family members, investigators say Bryant provided advice that helped the killer start the family vehicle and drive to the school.
Moments before the school massacre began, Van Rootselaar initiated the livestream.
Bryant responded: “Watching now.”
According to the FBI, the Twitch livestream lasted approximately 20 seconds and was viewed by only one Twitch account, an account investigators say was registered using Bryant’s identifying information.
The Gateway Pundit extensively reported on Van Rootselaar following the February massacre.
As The Gateway Pundit previously reported, Canadian authorities drew controversy after announcing they would honor Van Rootselaar’s preferred gender identity and pronouns even while detailing the murders.
The Gateway Pundit also reported on the family of 12-year-old victim Kylie Smith, whose relatives were forced to cancel her funeral amid reported death threats.
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