Court documents from Washington state have revealed new information about the events leading up to a tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, in February, which resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including the shooter. The U.S. Department of Justice disclosed that James Cody Bryant, aged 30, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder individuals in a foreign land, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Allegations suggest that Bryant had been communicating with the shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, via the social media platform Discord prior to the incident. The indictment indicates that Bryant conspired with Van Rootselaar knowingly and willfully, starting in or before August 2025. Discord shared information with the authorities, leading to Homeland Security investigators interviewing Bryant at his residence in Bellingham, Washington, shortly after the shooting.
Following Bryant’s refusal to permit Discord to provide the FBI with their communications with Van Rootselaar, a search warrant was issued for Bryant’s Discord account in Washington state. The retrieved records revealed multiple conversations between Bryant and Van Rootselaar discussing various aspects related to the attack, such as weapons, accessories, and financial support provided by Bryant.
Moreover, details emerged that Van Rootselaar had intended to livestream the attack, with Bryant agreeing to facilitate the livestream to appease Van Rootselaar. The communication between the two individuals included discussions about the attack location and preparations, with Bryant trying to dissuade Van Rootselaar from carrying out the violent act on several occasions.
Despite Bryant’s repeated assurances that he would not involve law enforcement, Van Rootselaar ultimately proceeded with the attack on February 10, 2026, resulting in multiple casualties. Bryant appeared in court in Seattle, where a preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 20. The U.S. has requested Bryant be held without bail. If indicted by the grand jury, a separate hearing will follow to determine his custody status.
For those affected by such distressing reports, mental health resources are available in each province or territory.