U.S. grand jury indicts James Bryant in alleged Tumbler Ridge shooting conspiracy

A grand jury in Washington state has indicted 30-year-old James Bryant, an alleged co-conspirator in the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Bryant is charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country. The indictment means prosecutors have probable cause to pursue the case. Emily Langlie, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, said last week that an indictment would eliminate the preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 20. Bryant’s lawyer says Bryant goes by “Melody” and uses female pronouns. A judge denied Bryant bail the day before Wednesday’s indictment.

A U.S. Department of Justice statement says the indictment details several overt acts Bryant allegedly took to advance the school shooting conspiracy. They include agreeing to record the shooting and broadcast it online, advising the shooter on where to attack and what weapons to use, and sending Jesse Van Rootselaar money to buy a lighter for an improvised explosive device. Bryant is a resident of Bellingham, Wash. The department says conspiracy to murder in a foreign country is punishable by up to life in prison. It cautions that the accusations remain unproven. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg is prosecuting the case with help from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

In February, 18-year-old Van Rootselaar shot eight people dead in Tumbler Ridge, including five pupils and a teacher at a secondary school. Van Rootselaar shot herself dead at the school on Feb. 10 as police closed in.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 14, 2026.