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Grand Jury Indicts James Bryant for Conspiracy in Tumbler Ridge School Shooting
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Indictment of James Bryant
A Washington-state grand jury has charged 30-year-old James Bryant, a resident of Bellingham, with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country for his alleged involvement in the February mass shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The indictment provides probable cause for federal prosecutors to move forward, and it removes the need for a preliminary hearing that had been scheduled for October.
Background of the Tumbler Ridge Attack
In early February, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar entered the school and killed eight people, including five students and a teacher, before taking his own life as police closed in. The tragedy prompted a cross-border investigation by U.S. authorities, given the suspect’s residence in Washington state.
Alleged Role of Bryant
The complaint alleges that Bryant, who uses she/her pronouns and goes by the name “Melody,” took several overt actions to further the shooting plan:
- Agreed to record the attack and stream it online.
- Provided advice on target locations and weapon selection.
- Sent money to Van Rootselaar for a lighter intended for an improvised explosive device.
These alleged acts form the basis of the conspiracy charge, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Official U.S. Government Response
Emily Langlie, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, confirmed that the indictment eliminates the previously set October preliminary hearing. The U.S. Department of Justice issued a statement noting that the charges remain unproven and that the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg with assistance from the Justice Department’s National Security Division. The department also warned that conspiracy to murder abroad is punishable by up to life in prison.
Next Legal Steps
Bryant was denied bail the day before the indictment was filed and will remain in custody pending further proceedings. The federal case will proceed without a preliminary hearing, moving directly toward trial preparation under the oversight of the National Security Division.