Authorities in Seattle have charged a 30-year-old Washington man, James Cody Bryant, with allegedly enabling a Canadian mass shooter to carry out an attack that killed eight people, including members of her own family. According to federal prosecutors, Bryant assisted Jesse van Rootselaar by offering tactical advice, sending money for weapon components, and agreeing to livestream the violence to maximize its visibility.
The indictment alleges that the fatal shooting occurred on February 10, 2026, at Van Rootselaar’s home in British Columbia and later at Tumbler Ridge School. During the attack, Van Rootselaar killed two individuals at her residence before using an improvised explosive device to damage the school, where she murdered five students aged 12 and 13, as well as an educational assistant. She died by suicide after encountering police at the school; the attempted livestream failed to go public.
Federal complaint documents state that Bryant and Van Rootselaar had maintained daily contact for six months prior to the massacre. Bryant is accused of encouraging her to proceed with the attack and providing specific guidance on the most effective locations for the shooting.
In one alleged text message, Bryant advised Van Rootselaar on crowd dynamics, writing, “Hallways also mean a lot of ways people can escape. Corners to turn. Wide open spaces means numbers.” Prosecutors further allege that Bryant conducted test runs of the livestream equipment with her and reviewed footage to help select the target site.
Although Bryant reportedly suggested that Van Rootselaar attack a grocery store or church instead of a school due to concerns about young victims, prosecutors say she ultimately chose the educational facility. The pair also discussed technical details such as audio inclusion and the use of a Starlink device for camera quality.
Financial assistance was a key element of the charges. Bryant allegedly sent Van Rootselaar money to purchase items related to the attack, including footwear she requested for the event and a lighter used in the construction of the explosive device. In one exchange, Van Rootselaar told Bryant, “I want the cute shoes for when I do my violence,” after receiving the funds.
During an interview with Homeland Security Investigations, Bryant described Van Rootselaar as increasingly angry and suicidal, noting her fixation on mass shootings. He claimed he once considered intervening but did not act to prevent the tragedy. When Van Rootselaar messaged him on the day of the shooting stating, “I’m going now. Fr. Live. I shot them,” Bryant allegedly walked her through starting the vehicle she used to travel to the school.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Mike Herrington condemned Bryant’s actions as “misplaced loyalty” during a Tuesday press conference. “This complaint was particularly difficult to read, in part, because of the casual tone these two individuals used when discussing the mass taking of innocent lives as it was being planned,” Herrington said.
Eight people dead, including children. The sheer volume of planning and daily contact over six months is hard to process.
This isn’t just aiding; it’s complicity. Encouraging her and watching the livestream makes him equally guilty in my eyes.
I’m surprised the court documents include transcripts like ‘Hallways also mean a lot of ways people can escape.’ The tactical planning was cold.
Can someone explain the jurisdiction? Why is a US citizen charged federally for aiding a crime that happened entirely in Canada?
The detail about the ‘cute shoes’ is absolutely chilling. It shows how normalized this violence had become in their conversations.