The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday released the FBI complaint against James Cody Bryant, a 30-year-old man from Bellingham, Washington, revealing he is accused of conspiring with Jesse Van Rootselaar, who identified as a transgender woman, when he killed eight people in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in February.
Over a six-month period, the DOJ accuses Bryant of providing “advice, money, and technical assistance” to the killer, who fatally shot his mother and step-brother at the family residence, then killed five students and one educator at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on February 10.
The legal press release states that Bryant began communicating with the killer using the online messaging platform, Discord, by August 2025, and alleges that these communications prove the Washington man sent the killer money to purchase weapons and other equipment, provided tactical advice, discussed how to hide the existence of the plan from authorities, and repeatedly promised to record and broadcast the shooting. Bryant also allegedly confirmed he was receiving video broadcast from the killer during the attack.
Although the DOJ identified him as a Washington man, Discord messages in the complaint appear to show Van Rootselaar referring to the alleged accomplice as “Mel.” In the Discord messaging platform screenshots in the FBI’s criminal complaint, the individual purported to be Bryant used the name “Melody.”
Like the killer, officials have reportedly confirmed Bryant is a biological male who identifies as a transgender woman.
According to an August 4, 2025, exchange included in the complaint, after sending Bryant a photograph of a Canuck shotgun posed in front of a transgender pride flag, the killer asked Bryant for money in order to buy additional stickers for the weapon. Two of the stickers depicted the transgender pride flag.
“Love the stickers. [redacted] stickers would be so funny to be seen in photos of the incident,” Bryant allegedly told the killer.
Van Rootselaar replied, “I need to buy some more stickers. You should send me an extra tiny bit of money whenever [you] do for stickers [laugh out loud].”
The complaint alleges that Bryant promised to spend $150 on supplies, including the stickers, as well as shipping costs for items to be sent to Canada.
In a December 12, 2025 exchange, the complaint further alleges that Bryant agreed to save photographs of the killer posing with his weapon and other equipment, in order to preserve his likeness after committing the attack.
“I want a photo with the SKS also on my back later but I haven’t taken all that yet today, I just want some reference pics of what I wore out there of me,” wrote Van Rootselaar.
In response, Bryant allegedly expressed concern that he would “get in trouble” by posting video of a mass shooting.
The complaint further alleges that Bryant and the killer tested their live streaming setup in early January, and later that month that he promised, “I won’t fail you.”
On February 9, just one day before the attack, Bryant allegedly told the killer that he adjusted his sleeping pattern in order to be available to live stream the attack, before repeating his promise.
“I literally fixed my sleep schedule to help me stay up to be there after work,” wrote Bryant, according to the complaint.
In a message sent later that day, the killer wrote, “I like how my camera holder thing is for holding my phone it looks nice. Plus, the upside down pride flag kinda gives it that vibe that it’s in distress,” before asking Bryant to “at least give a sincere try at being there for my final moments [and] manage to share them.”
Bryant allegedly wrote in reply, “I will. I’ll be there.”
The following day, the killer told Bryant that he was “dressed for the attack,” according to the complaint. The message was accompanied by an image of the killer holding a rifle decorated with the colors of the transgender flag, as well as a satchel the FBI says contained an explosive device and extra firearm magazines.
In the photograph, the killer was wearing boots allegedly purchased by Bryant.
The shooting in Canada came less than three years after Audrey Elizabeth Hale, a biological woman who identified as a transgender man, killed six at the Covenant School in Nashville.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tumbler Ridge Secondary School” by Google Maps.
