Washington resident charged over alleged role in Canada school shooting

A 30-year-old Washington state resident has been charged in the United States with allegedly conspiring with the shooter responsible for a deadly attack in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, officials said. James Cody Bryant, who identifies as female and uses the name Melody in local reports, was detained on a charge of conspiracy to murder people in a foreign country. The offence carries a possible sentence of up to life in prison, according to the US Department of Justice.

US authorities allege that Bryant communicated for six months with Jesse Van Rootselaar, who was 18 at the time of the February attack. Officials say Bryant offered to livestream the shooting, provided technical assistance and sent money, including funds for items intended for use during the attack. The accounts differ slightly on the reported death toll.

ABC News Australia described nine people as killed, while ABC News US said Van Rootselaar killed eight people and wounded 25. Both reports agree that the attack began after Van Rootselaar killed her mother and stepbrother at home and then went to a school in Tumbler Ridge. Authorities said the school victims included children, a teacher or educational assistant and students.

Van Rootselaar was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack was described as one of Canada’s worst mass shootings in years. Mike Herrington, the FBI’s special agent in charge in Seattle, said Bryant agreed to broadcast the attack in a way intended to maximise its notoriety.

Officials said a livestream on Twitch was shut down after about 20 seconds. They also allege Bryant advised Van Rootselaar on weapons, increasing the scale of the attack, deleting messages and using virtual private networks. Investigators said Bryant at times tried to persuade Van Rootselaar not to proceed, but ultimately did not contact law enforcement.

Acting US Attorney Neil Floyd said Bryant had information and the ability to alert authorities, but chose not to do so. Officials said they could not determine whether the shooting would have occurred without Bryant’s support. The authorities said both Bryant and Van Rootselaar identified as transgender, but said they had found no indication that this explained their online relationship.

Court records did not immediately list a lawyer for Bryant. The charges are allegations, and the available reports do not include a response from the accused.