Full Breakdown
U.S. Defendant Denied Bail in Connection with Tumbler Ridge School Shooting
By Drooid · · How we work
Alleged Role in the Attack
James Cody Bryant, a U.S. resident who had begun transitioning to female before the February 2023 killings, is charged with conspiracy to murder people in a foreign country. Prosecutors allege Bryant provided “tactical advice” to 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, including suggestions for target locations, firearm types, and assistance in starting the car that was used to travel to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. Evidence presented includes Discord messages discussing building layout, a financial exchange for a lighter via PayPal, and repeated promises to attend and help livestream the murders—an effort that ultimately failed due to a technical glitch.
Prosecution and Defense Arguments
The prosecution highlighted Bryant’s months-long daily communications with Van Rootselaar and the alleged willingness to intervene before the attack.
Bryant’s defense counsel, federal public defenders Gregory Murphy and Dennis Carroll, countered that the bail standard should focus on flight risk and danger, not emotional weight. They noted Bryant’s lack of criminal history, community ties, and cooperation with investigators, and questioned the timing of the arrest—seven months after an FBI interview and four days after a press conference—suggesting procedural concerns rather than a threat to public safety.
Judge’s Reasoning for Denial
The presiding judge framed the bail decision around whether enforceable conditions could mitigate risks of non-appearance and community danger. Pre-trial services identified serious, deeply rooted mental-health concerns and substance-abuse issues, and the judge expressed doubt that internet-monitoring conditions could keep pace with technological developments. Concluding that the risks could not be reasonably addressed, the judge denied bail, ordering Bryant detained pending further proceedings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The defendant was for months in daily communication with someone who was planning a mass murder event in British Columbia,” — Todd Greenberg, united states attorney
- “But most importantly… is Bryant’s own character,” — Todd Greenberg, united states attorney