Washington trans male indicted for helping trans Tumbler Ridge shooter plan, broadcast massacre
A Washington state trans-identified male charged with providing tactical advice, money, and livestream assistance to trans-identified Tumbler Ridge school shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury. Van Rootselaar killed his mother and brother at their home in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, before going to the high school and opening fire on students there.
James Cody Bryant, 30, of Bellingham, faces one count of conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country in connection with the February 10 massacre in British Columbia, which left eight victims dead across two locations.
Bryant was initially charged through a criminal complaint supported by an FBI affidavit filed October 2 and was arrested October 6. The October 14 indictment brings the same charge, formally advancing the prosecution after a grand jury found probable cause. Bryant is scheduled for arraignment October 22 and faces up to life in prison if convicted.
Bryant, also known as James “Mel” Cody Bryant, allegedly helped Van Rootselaar prepare for the attack and agreed to record and broadcast the killings.
The indictment repeats seven alleged overt acts outlined in the original criminal complaint, including specific messages, livestream tests, and a payment connected to the explosive device used during the attack. According to the indictment, Bryant agreed as early as August 2025 to record Van Rootselaar’s planned livestream and post it online for the public to watch. On August 30, 2025 Bryant allegedly helped test the stream and assured the shooter that it “looks solid.”
Prosecutors allege Bryant also provided advice about potential targets and weapons. During an August 8 discussion about attack locations, Bryant allegedly told Van Rootselaar: “Hallways also mean a lot of ways people can escape. Corners to turn. Wide open spaces means numbers.”
On August 26, Bryant allegedly advised that Van Rootselaar “should have a handgun . . . this is smart.” After Van Rootselaar said the plan could “cause a lot of damage this way,” Bryant responded: “[Yeah], you’ve got solid plans.”
The alleged assistance continued into January. On January 4, Bryant helped conduct another livestream test, telling Van Rootselaar: “It works. I saw your lighter.”
The indictment specifies that Bryant allegedly sent $14.33 through PayPal on January 25, intending for Van Rootselaar to purchase a lighter that would be attached to an explosive device detonated during the murders.
On the day of the killings, Bryant allegedly accessed the livestream to record and broadcast it, confirmed being “watching now,” and subsequently told Van Rootselaar that the stream had gone down.
Prosecutors also allege that Bryant discussed concealing the plot. On August 11, Bryant allegedly wrote: “I think we should find a way to delete all our messages.” In December, Bryant discussed obtaining a VPN to avoid getting in trouble for posting a shooting video online.
The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation seeking any proceeds traceable to the alleged offense if Bryant is convicted. It does not identify specific property.
Van Rootselaar killed two relatives before traveling to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where the shooter murdered five children ages 12 and 13 and an educational assistant. According to prosecutors, Van Rootselaar also used an improvised explosive device to damage the school, fired through locked classroom doors, exchanged gunfire with responding officers, and ultimately died by suicide.
The RCMP identified Van Rootselaar as male. He had been transitioning since he was 12 and was identified as female on government identification and in law enforcement reports. Canadian media also refers to him as "she."
Investigators identified Bryant after discovering Van Rootselaar’s communications on Discord. Authorities have reviewed thousands of messages between the pair during the six months leading up to the attack.
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