Scowling man who identifies as female appears in Seattle court charged with helping transgender shooter plan Canadian school massacre that saw five children murdered
US prosecutors say James Cody Bryant, 30, helped Jesse Van Rootselaar plan the February shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Bryant appeared in a Washington court after being arrested on a charge of conspiring to commit murder in a foreign country; the case raises questions about how online contact may support planning for an attack across borders.
The FBI alleges the pair were in almost daily contact for six months, discussing targets, weapons and how to conceal the plan. Prosecutors say Bryant gave tactical advice, sent money for items including shoes and stickers, and helped promote a livestream. Van Rootselaar killed her mother and stepbrother before killing six people at a school, including five children and an educational assistant; 27 others were wounded.
- US prosecutors accuse Bryant of helping plan a Canadian school shooting.
- The FBI alleges the pair communicated almost daily for six months.
- Eight people were killed and 27 wounded.
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In February, a shooting at a school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia killed six people, including five children and an educational assistant, along with 27 others wounded. The suspected gunman, Jesse Van Rootselaar, also killed her mother and stepbrother before the school attack.
US prosecutors allege that James Cody Bryant, 30, helped plan the shooting from Washington state. The FBI says Bryant and Van Rootselaar were in regular contact for six months, discussing targets, weapons and ways to conceal the plan. Bryant allegedly provided tactical advice, sent money for items, and helped promote a livestream.
The case raises questions about how online communications between people in different countries can facilitate planning for violent attacks. Bryant faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, reflecting the cross-border nature of the alleged coordination.