A court in Seattle, Washington, has refused bail to James Bryant, accused of involvement in the Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, mass shooting alongside Jesse Van Rootselaar in February. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has ordered Bryant to remain in custody, as confirmed by Emilie Langlie from the Department of Justice.
According to federal prosecutors, Bryant, a resident of Bellingham, Washington, was allegedly part of planning the mass murder and poses a risk to the community if released. Despite Bryant’s public defender, Dennis Carroll, advocating for her release due to her lack of criminal record, stable housing and employment, and ties to the community, the court upheld the decision to keep Bryant detained.
Carroll, referring to Bryant using female pronouns and the name Melody, asserted that Bryant cooperated with investigators voluntarily and did not initiate or participate in violent actions related to the tragic incident that claimed eight lives. Carroll stated that Bryant repeatedly attempted to discourage Van Rootselaar from carrying out the mass shooting.
