US man arrested amid shocking allegations he helped, provided advice to Canadian school shooter

Bellingham, Washington - A 30-year-old US citizen was arrested and charged on Tuesday over an alleged connection to the February killings in Tumbler Ridge, one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pays his respects amid a service for the victims of the February shooting in Tumbler Ridge. On Tuesday, a US man was arrested for allegedly helping the shooter.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pays his respects amid a service for the victims of the February shooting in Tumbler Ridge. On Tuesday, a US man was arrested for allegedly helping the shooter.  © AFP/Paige Taylor White

Prosecutors in the northwestern US state of Washington said James Cody Bryant has been charged with "conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country."

The killings were perpetrated by Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old who murdered her mother and brother at the family home and then proceeded to shoot and kill six more at the small mining town's elementary school.

A statement from the US Attorney's office said Van Rootselaar and Bryant were in contact via the online platform Discord from August 2025.

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Van Rootselaar shared her plans "to kill multiple people," the statement said.

"Bryant agreed to record and broadcast Van Rootselaar's live stream of the murders," it added, but US authorities say the feed was cut seconds after appearing.

"Bryant provided tactical advice on how to increase the carnage and what firearms to use; Bryant sent money to Van Rootselaar to purchase various items the shooter wanted in connection with the school attack," the statement continued.

US attorneys allege that Bryant had several opportunities to inform police about Van Rootselaar's plans but never did. If convicted, Bryant could face life in prison, the US attorney said.

"The Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooting was a horrific tragedy for that small community and for all of Canada. Indeed, here in the Pacific Northwest we felt the pain of those families devastated by this violence," said Acting US Attorney Neil Floyd in a statement.

"It is even more profoundly disturbing to learn that a resident of Western Washington had a role in the attack and took steps – providing counsel, technical advice, and money to the shooter planning such a tragedy."

Cover photo: AFP/Paige Taylor White

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