Trans-Identifying Man Charged in Canadian School Shooting Plot
U.S. authorities charge trans man in plot to aid Canadian school shooter.
2 min read
The FBI has charged a trans-identifying American man with conspiracy to murder in connection with a deadly school shooting in Canada. James Cody Bryant, 30, is accused of aiding 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, who killed eight people in a February 2026 attack on a rural British Columbia school.
Arrest and Charges
Bryant, who identifies as transgender, was arrested in February 2026 and charged with conspiracy to murder a person in a foreign country. According to a criminal complaint filed by FBI special agent Joseph Rico, Bryant allegedly agreed to livestream Van Rootselaar’s planned attack and provided tactical and material support for the massacre.
The Attack
On February 10, 2026, Van Rootselaar murdered his mother and 11-year-old stepbrother before heading to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. There, he killed five children and one school employee before taking his own life during the attack. Van Rootselaar was initially referred to by police as a “gunperson.”
Digital Evidence and Planning
The FBI linked Bryant to the attack after Discord provided messages between Van Rootselaar and an account associated with him. The criminal complaint states that Bryant and Van Rootselaar began communicating online when Van Rootselaar was 15 and Bryant was in his late 20s. Bryant allegedly advised Van Rootselaar to avoid hallways to prevent escape, carry a handgun, and use a tactical chest rig for additional magazines.
Preparation and Support
Bryant suggested using a VPN to cover their digital footprint and advised Van Rootselaar to delete messages. He also sent money for a lighter to be used on an explosive device and assured Van Rootselaar he would not “snitch” on him to law enforcement. The criminal complaint notes that Bryant viewed Van Rootselaar’s attempted livestream and helped test the equipment.
Legal and Identity Concerns
The criminal complaint initially referred to Van Rootselaar as female, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington plans to file an amended complaint with the correct pronouns, according to The Daily Wire. This case highlights the complexities of digital communication, identity, and international law in criminal investigations.
Source: Daily Wire
