Seattle, Washington — A 30-year-old Washington state resident has been arrested and accused of helping a Canadian school shooter plan a deadly attack that left eight people dead earlier this year, federal officials announced.

James Cody Bryant was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd.

Federal authorities allege Bryant communicated with Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, for at least six months before the Feb. 10 attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia.

Feds Say Bryant Offered Tactical Advice

According to the federal complaint, Bryant and Van Rootselaar both identified as transgender and communicated about the planned attack before the shooting.

Authorities allege Bryant provided tactical advice about how the attack could be carried out, including discussing the layout of locations and how potential victims might move or escape.

“Hallways also mean a lot of ways people can escape. Corners to turn. Wide open spaces means numbers,” Bryant wrote to Van Rootselaar, according to the complaint.

Federal investigators also allege that Bryant sent money to help Van Rootselaar purchase a lighter that was intended to be used to ignite explosives.

The complaint further alleges Bryant advised the teenager about deleting online messages in an effort to keep the alleged plans secret.

Alleged Livestream Support Also Investigated

Federal officials said Bryant allegedly offered to livestream the shooting.

FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington said investigators believe Van Rootselaar was concerned that the attack would not receive enough attention online because of his limited social-media following.

“We certainly know the shooter was concerned that not enough people would see the livestream without Bryant broadcasting it,” Herrington said.

“[Van Rootselaar] was depending on Bryant to amplify the livestream because the shooter did not have many followers on social media,” he continued.

The allegations involving the livestream are part of the broader federal case against Bryant.

Complaint Says Bryant Sometimes Urged Him to Stop

The federal complaint also describes conversations in which Bryant allegedly appeared to question whether Van Rootselaar should carry out the planned killings.

“I wish there were any other path for you, you shouldn’t have to do something like this,” Bryant wrote, according to the complaint.

However, investigators allege that Bryant ultimately continued communicating with Van Rootselaar and provided additional support. The complaint says Bryant also promised that he would not report the alleged plans to authorities.

“I could [tell authorities]. I don’t want to honestly. I know I can like, save lives I guess but [I don’t know],” Bryant wrote, according to the complaint.

Tumbler Ridge Attack Left Eight People Dead

The allegations against Bryant stem from the Feb. 10 shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, one of the deadliest shootings in Canadian history.

Van Rootselaar, who was 18 at the time of the attack, allegedly carried out the shooting and also killed his mother and stepbrother, according to federal officials.

The shooting resulted in eight victims being killed, sending shockwaves through the small British Columbia community and prompting a major investigation into what led to the attack.

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Bryant is accused of communicating with Van Rootselaar before the shooting and assisting with aspects of the alleged planning.

Federal Case Now Moves Forward

Bryant’s arrest adds a U.S. federal case to the continuing investigation surrounding the Canadian shooting.

He faces one federal conspiracy charge tied to the alleged plan. The allegations contained in the criminal complaint are accusations, and Bryant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Federal authorities have not indicated that additional charges will necessarily follow, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The case also highlights the international nature of investigations involving online communications, particularly when alleged planning crosses national borders.

As the federal prosecution moves forward, investigators are expected to examine the communications between Bryant and Van Rootselaar and the extent of any assistance allegedly provided before the attack.

What do you think about the allegations outlined in the federal complaint? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments as this case moves through the legal process.