<p>A Washington resident was arrested on Tuesday in connection with a deadly school shooting in Canada that occurred in February, resulting in nine fatalities, including the shooter.</p>
<p>James Cody Bryant of Bellingham, Washington, was apprehended by federal authorities for allegedly communicating with Jesse Van Rootselaar, who is suspected of carrying out the shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.</p>
<p>Authorities allege that Bryant, 30, communicated with Rootselaar, 18, in the six months leading up to the attack but did not inform law enforcement of the planned violence.</p>
<p>Rootselaar opened fire at the school on February 10, killing a 39-year-old teacher and five students aged 13 and under, and injuring approximately 25 others. Two additional victims were found in a residence near the school, identified as Rootselaar’s mother and 11-year-old step-brother, who were allegedly killed by Rootselaar prior to the school shooting. After the incident, police reported that Rootselaar was found inside the school and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.</p>
<p>Tumbler Ridge, located near the Alberta border in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, has a population of less than 3,000. The shooting was noted as one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canada in recent years.</p>
<p>Bryant is biologically male but identifies as female, while Rootselaar was also biologically male and transitioned to female.</p>
<p>According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle, Bryant and Rootselaar discussed the attack details, including firearms to be used and strategies to maximize casualties. They also planned to livestream the shooting.</p>
<p>During their conversations, Bryant allegedly advised Rootselaar on maintaining secrecy regarding the plot and sent funds to purchase a light for igniting an explosive device. Although Bryant reportedly attempted to dissuade Rootselaar from committing the attack at times, he did not notify law enforcement and provided support instead.</p>
<p>“Without Bryant’s misplaced loyalty and willingness to operate the livestream, we don’t ultimately know if the shooter would have gone through with the crime,” stated W. Mike Herrington, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle office.</p>
<p>Department of Homeland Security investigators interviewed Bryant at his home following the attack, where he acknowledged communicating with Rootselaar on Discord but declined to share those messages with the FBI. Bryant was charged on Tuesday with conspiracy to murder people in a foreign country.</p>