Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd has made a significant announcement involving a person who lives in Bellingham, in connection with the devastating school shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in B.C.
On Oct. 6, Floyd announced that a 30-year-old Western Washington defendant was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country.
“The arrest and criminal complaint stem from the tragic school shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on Feb. 10, 2026,” the office said.
During a subsequent livestream at noon on Oct. 6, Floyd shared more details about the suspect and the arrest, and the connection to the shooting that left nine people dead, including the 18-year-old shooter.
According to the attorney’s office, Bellingham resident James Cody Bryant was arrested and had been in “repeated contact” with the shooter just six months before the tragedy occurred.
Floyd said Bryant offered advice, financial support, and even offered to livestream the horrific event for the shooter.
Bryant may have had the ability to prevent the shooting, but “chose not to,” Floyd said.
Instead, Floyd added, Bryant “offered assistance to a murderer.”
Floyd thanked the RCMP for their support in the matter.
At the conference, it was noted that, like the shooter, Bryant identified as a female.
Mike Herrington, FBI special agent in charge of the Seattle Field Office, added a bit more information about the investigation. He offered his sympathy for the victims in the tragedy and “shocking act of violence.”
Herrington also commended B.C. RCMP for their work and assistance, saying that without the RCMP, the charges against Bryant may not have come to light.
Herrington said that a friendship developed between the shooter and Bryant. He added that there was a casual tone in the conversations between the shooter and Bryant about the tragic event.
“Bryant also helped the shooter reach the school in the first place,” Herrington noted.
Herrington said that Bryant admitted that they might’ve been the only one who could’ve stopped the tragedy from taking place.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Elija Rain issued a statement, saying that the RCMP’s focus remains on supporting the ongoing criminal proceedings in Washington State.
“To the families of the victims, the survivors, and the community of Tumbler Ridge: our commitment to seeking answers has not wavered. We recognize that the passage of time has not diminished the impact of this tragedy, and we remain committed to supporting you throughout this process,” Rain added.