The FBI arrested a 30-year-old Bellingham, Washington resident on Tuesday and charged him with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country for allegedly coaching, funding, and agreeing to broadcast the February 10 slaughter at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, the attack that left 8 people dead, including 5 children.
James Cody Bryant was taken into custody in Bellingham and appeared in federal court in Seattle.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
According to the Department of Justice announcement and the accompanying 41-page FBI criminal complaint, Bryant allegedly maintained extensive communications with 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar during the six months before the February 10 massacre.
Both Bryant and Van Rootselaar were born male and identified as transgender women, according to police and federal officials.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in February that Van Rootselaar was “born a biological male” who began identifying as female about six years earlier.
On Tuesday, U.S. officials said they understood Bryant was also born male and identified as female.
