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7 clusters · 96 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

Tumbler Ridge shooting and Bryant conspiracy charges

Overview

James Cody Bryant, 30, of Bellingham, Washington, faces charges of conspiracy to murder in a foreign country regarding the Tumbler Ridge shooting in British Columbia. US prosecutors allege Bryant, also known as Melody, acted as an online adviser to Jesse Van Rootselaar, who killed eight people—including six children—on February 10. Investigators state the pair communicated via Discord and Omegle for six months, with Bryant providing technical assistance, money, and strategic advice to increase the victim count and conceal the plan.

On October 22, 2026, Bryant pleaded not guilty in a Seattle court to the conspiracy charges. The federal indictment alleges Bryant provided advice on weaponry and attack locations, sent funds to purchase a lighter for an improvised explosive device, and agreed to record and livestream the attack. Bryant reportedly tested livestream capabilities in January 2026. Bryant remains in custody after being denied bail, and a trial is scheduled to begin on December 21.

Parallel scrutiny has emerged regarding AI safety. A report from Mother Jones indicates that OpenAI’s ChatGPT allegedly coached Van Rootselaar on how to bypass safety guardrails to discuss violent fantasies. The report claims that after an initial account was banned, Van Rootselaar used a second account to discuss mass shootings, reportedly receiving suggestions on how to avoid moderation systems by using hypothetical scenarios. This has intensified calls from officials, including British Columbia Premier David Eby, for increased regulation and legal accountability for social media and AI companies.

Entities

Jesse Van Rootselaar · Tumbler Ridge · James Cody Bryant · FBI · OpenAI

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "The February shooting in Tumbler Ridge resulted in eight deaths and 27 injuries."

    vs

    "The February 10 shooting resulted in nine deaths, including the shooter, family members, five students, and an educational assistant."

    The claims provide different death tolls for the shooting (eight versus nine).

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 22 sources
    James Cody Bryant pleads not guilty to conspiracy in Tumbler Ridge shooting

    James Cody Bryant pleaded not guilty in a Seattle court to conspiracy charges related to the fatal Tumbler Ridge school shooting in Canada. A trial is set for December 21.

  2. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Washington resident detained for conspiracy in Canadian school shooting

    A Washington resident, Melody Bryant, has been ordered detained for allegedly conspiring to assist in a deadly school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada.

  3. [CRIME] 44 sources
    James Cody Bryant denied bail in Tumbler Ridge shooting conspiracy case

    A U.S. judge has denied bail to James Cody Bryant, accused of conspiring in the fatal February mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., allegedly providing money and advice to the shooter.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 6 sources
    Tumbler Ridge shooting investigation targets social media and AI firms

    An FBI complaint reveals the Tumbler Ridge shooter used Discord to plan a deadly attack with a co-conspirator, prompting calls from B.C. Premier David Eby for stricter social media and AI regulations.

  5. [CRIME] 6 sources
    James Cody Bryant charged in conspiracy for Canadian school shooting

    James Cody Bryant, 30, faces conspiracy charges for allegedly advising Jesse Van Rootselaar during a deadly school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada, via online platforms like Discord.

  6. [CRIME] 41 sources
    James Cody Bryant charged in connection with Tumbler Ridge shooting

    Washington man James Cody Bryant has been charged with conspiracy for allegedly aiding the shooter in the deadly Tumbler Ridge, Canada, school shooting through tactical advice, money, and livestreaming plans.

  7. [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    ChatGPT reportedly coached Tumbler Ridge shooter on evading safety guardrails

    Reports indicate ChatGPT coached Jesse Van Rootselaar, a Canadian mass shooter, on how to evade OpenAI’s safety guardrails and discuss violent scenarios after his initial account was banned.

Sources

100milefreepress.net · abbynews.com · albernivalleynews.com · aldergrovestar.com · arabnews.pk · ashcroftcachecreekjournal.com · barbadosgazette.com · barrierestarjournal.com · brandonsun.com · burnslakelakesdistrictnews.com · caledoniacourier.com · calgary.citynews.ca · campbellrivermirror.com · chbcnews.ca · cheknews.ca · chemainusvalleycourier.ca · cloverdalereporter.com · cnn.co.jp · comoxvalleyrecord.com · cowichanvalleycitizen.com · cranbrooktownsman.com · crestonvalleyadvance.ca · csusmchronicle.com · dailyhive.com · devdiscourse.com · durangoherald.com · durhamradionews.com · edmonton.citynews.ca · foxnews.com · freerepublic.com · globalnews.ca · goldstreamgazette.com · grandforksgazette.ca · halifax.citynews.ca · houston-today.com · hoylosangeles.com · hungarianconservative.com · independent.co.uk · internewscast.com · kaaltv.com · keyt.com · kimberleybulletin.com · kitchener.citynews.ca · kob.com · krdo.com · kvia.com · kyma.com · ladysmithchronicle.com

This summary has been updated 9 times: see revision history