The Tumbler Ridge shooting investigation has crossed the Canada-U.S. border after federal authorities arrested a 30-year-old Washington state man accused of conspiring with the gunman before the February attack.
James Cody Bryant of Bellingham, Washington, was arrested Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country, according to U.S. authorities.
Prosecutors allege Bryant communicated with Jesse Van Rootselaar for about six months before the February 10 shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northern British Columbia.
The criminal complaint alleges that Bryant did not alert police to Van Rootselaar’s plans and instead provided assistance that included advice, money and technical support.
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What prosecutors allege
Authorities allege Bryant and Van Rootselaar discussed the planned attack through online communications and agreed that the violence would be broadcast or otherwise distributed online.
Prosecutors further allege that Bryant supported Van Rootselaar after the attack began, although the publicly released details do not establish that he travelled to Canada or participated in the shootings in person.
The charge is an allegation only.
Bryant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
U.S. Attorney’s Office officials said the case stems directly from the February shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Bryant was scheduled to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Tuesday afternoon.
The Tumbler Ridge shooting
Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old Tumbler Ridge resident, first killed two family members at a nearby home before going to the school, according to police and prosecutors.
At the school, five students and an educational assistant were killed.
Van Rootselaar later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The attack left eight victims dead and 25 people injured, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent Canadian history.
The RCMP previously said nine people died in total, including the shooter.
Police identified the deceased school victims as a 39-year-old educator, three 12-year-old female students and two male students aged 12 and 13.
Two additional victims, a 39-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy, were found dead at a residence.
When officers arrived at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on February 10, they reported active gunfire and said rounds were fired in the direction of police.
Officers entered the school and located Van Rootselaar deceased within minutes.
Police recovered a long gun and a modified handgun.
The RCMP has said the origin of the firearms and their role in the shootings remained part of the investigation.
Why the U.S. charge matters
The arrest marks a significant development because it identifies an alleged second participant in the events surrounding the attack, even though Canadian police previously said they believed Van Rootselaar acted alone as the shooter.
The U.S. charge focuses on the alleged agreement and assistance provided from Washington state rather than accusing Bryant of carrying out the killings inside Canada.
The case also highlights the difficulty of investigating online threats and cross-border communications.
Digital evidence from messaging platforms, social media services and other technology companies can be held in different jurisdictions and may require court orders or cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
Canadian investigators have previously sought digital records connected to the Tumbler Ridge case.
The RCMP has also obtained court-authorized material from online services as part of its broader investigation into Van Rootselaar’s communications and activities before the shooting.
What happens next
Bryant’s first court appearance is expected to address detention, representation and the next steps in the U.S. proceedings.
Prosecutors may later seek an indictment, although the exact procedural path will depend on the evidence and decisions made in federal court.
Because the alleged conduct involved a shooting in another country, the case could also raise questions about extradition, evidence sharing and how Canadian and American authorities divide responsibility for the prosecution.
Authorities have not indicated whether additional arrests or charges are expected.
The investigation remains active, and information released in court could provide further details about the alleged communications, payments and technical assistance.
Families and the Tumbler Ridge community continue to deal with the effects of the February attack.
The criminal proceedings in Washington are separate from ongoing Canadian reviews and legal actions examining the circumstances that preceded the shooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in connection with the Tumbler Ridge shooting?
James Cody Bryant, 30, of Bellingham, Washington, was arrested in the United States and charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country.
What is Bryant accused of doing?
Prosecutors allege he communicated with Jesse Van Rootselaar for about six months, provided advice and money, failed to alert police and agreed to help broadcast the attack.
When did the Tumbler Ridge shooting happen?
The shooting happened on February 10, 2026, at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby residence in northern British Columbia.
How many people were killed?
Eight victims were killed, and the shooter also died, bringing the total number of deaths to nine.
Has Bryant been convicted?
No. The charge is an allegation, and Bryant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against RCMP information, British Columbia government material and U.S. federal authorities’ publicly available case information.
Disclaimer: Details may change as court documents are filed and Canadian and U.S. investigators release further information.