A Washington state resident accused of helping plan and facilitate the Tumbler Ridge school shooting pleaded not guilty Thursday in U.S. federal court.
James Cody Bryant, a 30-year-old Bellingham resident, appeared in court in Seattle on an indictment alleging conspiracy to murder people in a foreign country.
The charge relates to the February 10, 2026, attack in northeastern British Columbia.
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What happened in court
Bryant entered a not-guilty plea during an arraignment scheduled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
Bryant is being held pending trial.
The case is currently scheduled for December 21, although that date could change as the prosecution and defence prepare for proceedings.
The indictment contains allegations only.
Bryant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Alleged role in the Tumbler Ridge shooting
U.S. prosecutors allege Bryant communicated with Jesse Van Rootselaar for roughly six months before the attack.
Investigators say the conversations took place through Discord and involved plans for a mass shooting in Canada.
According to the indictment, Bryant agreed to record and broadcast the attack online.
Prosecutors also allege Bryant tested livestream equipment, provided advice about weapons and possible targets, and sent money that was used to buy a lighter connected to an improvised explosive device.
The indictment further alleges that Bryant confirmed the livestream was working on the day of the shooting and discussed ways to conceal communications, including deleting messages and hiding the source of the broadcast.
Prosecutors say Bryant and Van Rootselaar exchanged thousands of messages.
The indictment also says Bryant sometimes attempted to discourage the planned attack, but ultimately did not contact police and continued providing assistance alleged to have helped the plan proceed.
The February attack
On February 10, Van Rootselaar killed two relatives at a residence before travelling to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, according to U.S. court documents.
Five children, all aged 12 or 13, and an educational assistant were killed at the school.
The attacker also used an improvised explosive device, fired through locked doors and exchanged gunfire with police before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The attack left the small B.C. community dealing with deaths, serious injuries and the loss of its secondary school as a central gathering place.
The former school building was later demolished, while provincial and local authorities moved ahead with plans for a replacement school.
Cross-border investigation
The case is being investigated by the FBI with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The U.S. indictment followed Bryant’s arrest on October 6, 2026, on a criminal complaint.
A grand jury returned the indictment on October 14.
The alleged offence carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if Bryant is convicted.
The charge is based on U.S. federal law concerning a conspiracy to murder people in another country.
What happens next
The case will proceed in U.S. federal court, where prosecutors will have to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The defence can challenge the government’s evidence, including the interpretation and admissibility of online communications.
The December 21 trial date is not guaranteed to proceed as scheduled.
Federal criminal cases can be delayed by disclosure disputes, pretrial motions, evidentiary rulings or other proceedings.
For families and survivors in Tumbler Ridge, the U.S. case represents a separate legal process from the ongoing Canadian response to the February attack.
Any conviction would not erase the harm caused, but the proceedings could provide further evidence about how the attack was planned and supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is James Cody Bryant?
Bryant is a 30-year-old Bellingham, Washington, resident accused by U.S. prosecutors of conspiring to assist the Tumbler Ridge school shooting.
What charge does Bryant face?
He faces one federal charge alleging conspiracy to murder people in a foreign country.
What did prosecutors allege Bryant did?
Prosecutors allege he helped test and broadcast a livestream, provided tactical advice, sent money for items connected to the attack and discussed concealing communications.
Did Bryant plead guilty?
No. Bryant pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in U.S. federal court on October 22, 2026.
When is the trial expected to begin?
The case is currently scheduled for trial on December 21, 2026, but that date could be delayed.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against the U.S. Department of Justice indictment announcement, the original federal charging statement and RCMP information about the Tumbler Ridge investigation. ([justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/bellingham-washington-resident-indicted-conspiracy-murder-people-foreign-country-role))
Disclaimer: The allegations described in this article have not been proven in court, and Bryant remains presumed innocent.