Today, an alleged co-conspirator connected to the tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, is set to make a plea during an arraignment in a Seattle courtroom.
James Bryant, a 30-year-old individual who identifies with female pronouns and goes by the name Melody, was recently indicted by a grand jury in Washington state for involvement in a conspiracy to murder individuals in a foreign country.
According to the criminal complaint, Bryant is accused of collaborating with shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar through online communication, assisting in planning a potential livestream of the violent acts. The complaint further alleges that Bryant provided guidance to Van Rootselaar on the location for the attack and even sent money for the purchase of an explosive device lighter.
Tragically, Van Rootselaar claimed the lives of eight victims in February, including students and a school assistant, before taking her own life as authorities closed in on the scene.
Bryant’s bail request has been denied, and the U.S. Justice Department has stated that a charge of conspiracy to murder in a foreign country carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment.
It is important to note that the allegations against Bryant have not yet been proven.
This information was reported by The Canadian Press on October 22, 2026.
