Grand jury indicts Bellingham resident accused of assisting in B.C. school shooting

30-year-old Melody Bryant has not yet entered a plea and, if convicted, faces up to life in prison.

Associated PressIn this photo taken with a smartphone, Mike Herrington, the FBI special agent in charge, speaks to the media on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Seattle. Standing next to Herrington are Elija Rain, the assistant commissioner of the British Columbia Royal Canadian Mounted Police, left, and Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd, right. (AP Photo/Manuel Valdes)

SEATTLE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A federal grand jury has indicted a Bellingham resident accused of facilitating a deadly mass shooting in B.C.

30-year-old Melody Bryant, also known as James Bryant, was formally charged on Wednesday, Oct. 14, with conspiracy to murder people in a foreign country.

Court documents refer to Bryant as “James”, though Bryant’s attorney says their defendant goes by “Melody” and uses she/her pronouns.

Investigators say Bryant provided assistance to Jesse Van Rootselaar, who killed eight people and wounded 27 in the mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, BC, in February. They claim Bryant gave Van Rootselaar advice on weapons, sent her money to purchase weapons and IED materials, and agreed to live-stream the mass shooting.

A judge ruled earlier this week that Bryant will remain detained ahead of her trial to ensure the safety of the community.

Bryant has not yet entered a plea and if convicted, faces up to life in prison.

She remains in federal custody ahead of her next hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20.