The Tumbler Ridge shooting investigation has widened after US authorities arrested James Cody Bryant, alleging he helped the attacker with advice, money and a livestream plot. The Bryant arrest adds a cross-border criminal case as British Columbia also pursues legal action involving OpenAI.
US suspect charged over alleged role in Tumbler Ridge shooting
A 30-year-old Washington state resident has been arrested and charged over an alleged role in the February 10 mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, one of the deadliest school attacks in recent Canadian history.
The US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington said James Cody Bryant of Bellingham faces a federal charge of conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country. Prosecutors allege Bryant communicated frequently with shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar during the six months leading up to the attack and provided advice, money and technical assistance. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Bryant arrest
According to the criminal complaint, Bryant and Van Rootselaar discussed plans for mass violence through online communications beginning by August 2025. Prosecutors allege Bryant agreed to help broadcast the attack and assured Van Rootselaar that law enforcement would not be contacted.
Authorities say Bryant sometimes tried to discourage the attack but ultimately did not alert police. Even after Van Rootselaar had killed two relatives at home, prosecutors allege Bryant remained in contact and helped troubleshoot a vehicle problem that allowed the shooter to continue toward the school.
School attack
Van Rootselaar first killed her mother and stepbrother before travelling to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. At the school, five children aged 12 and 13 and one educational assistant were killed. Several others were seriously injured.
Van Rootselaar later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as police responded. In total, eight victims were killed, excluding the shooter. The Justice Department said the FBI investigated the case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Livestream plot
Federal prosecutors allege Bryant offered technical assistance for a livestream of the attack and discussed ways to increase its reach. The complaint also accuses Bryant of providing tactical advice, discussing weapons and sending money for items connected to the planned violence.
These allegations remain unproven. The Justice Department stressed that Bryant is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
OpenAI case
The wider Tumbler Ridge case has also created scrutiny around artificial intelligence platforms. British Columbia announced in July that it had retained lawyers to explore legal action against OpenAI over allegations that threats made through ChatGPT before the shooting were not reported to law enforcement.
In September, the provincial government confirmed that it was filing legal action in California, saying the case was intended to seek accountability for the alleged failure to alert authorities. OpenAI’s legal responsibility will ultimately be determined through the courts.
Cross-border investigation
The Bryant arrest adds a major US dimension to a tragedy that deeply affected the small British Columbia community. Investigators are now examining not only the shooter’s actions but also whether online contacts materially helped the attack move from planning to execution.
The case is likely to fuel wider debate over online radicalisation, platform responsibility and when technology companies or individuals should alert authorities to credible threats of mass violence.
