A 30-year-old Washington state resident has been arrested and charged in connection with the mass shooting that shook Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, earlier this year. James Cody Bryant of Bellingham was taken into custody and faces a charge of conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country following a joint cross-border investigation by the FBI and the B.C. RCMP. In February, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar shot and killed her mother and 11-year-old half-brother at their family home. She then went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where she shot and killed five students aged 12 to 13 and a 39-year-old education assistant before taking her own life. Investigators revealed that Bryant allegedly spent six months leading up to the attacks providing advice, money, and technical assistance to the shooter. According to police, Bryant and Van Rootselaar connected online and discussed violent plans, with Bryant sending money and a lighter intended for constructing an explosive device. Authorities stated that Bryant agreed to record and broadcast a livestream of the school shooting. Although an attempt was made to stream the attack on Twitch, it was shut down within seconds. Officials noted that Bryant even provided instructions on how to start the engine of the vehicle when Van Rootselaar struggled to leave the home, allowing her to drive to the school. While investigators said Bryant occasionally attempted to dissuade the shooter, he never contacted law enforcement despite having ample opportunity to do so. Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd criticized this failure during a news conference in Seattle, stating that Bryant chose to encourage and assist a murderer instead of alerting authorities. W. Mike Harrington, the special agent in charge for the FBI’s Seattle bureau, expressed that the criminal complaint was difficult to read due to the casual manner in which the pair discussed their violent plans. Police indicated that further charges could still be laid in Canada as the investigation remains active and authorities continue to assess the shooter’s other online contacts. The small community of Tumbler Ridge continues its long road to recovery following the tragedy, with local officials and provincial leaders working to ensure mental health and counselling resources remain accessible to affected residents and grieving families.
Source: cbc.ca
