An FBI complaint against a suspect from Washington state, James Bryant, has revealed extensive details concerning the firearms potentially used by the Tumbler Ridge mass shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar. Bryant, who is charged with conspiracy to murder in a foreign country, indicated that Van Rootselaar had stolen firearms and ammunition from her family's gun safe and concealed them in her bedroom in preparation for the attack.
According to the complaint sworn by an FBI agent in Seattle, Van Rootselaar, aged 18, had discussed with Bryant in online chats the process of convincing another individual to purchase ammunition for her. Additionally, the complaint claims that one of the firearms she intended to use in the attack had been returned to her after being previously confiscated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
On February 10, 2026, Van Rootselaar executed a shooting rampage that resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including her mother and brother at their home, in addition to five students and an educational assistant at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Despite Van Rootselaar taking her own life at the scene, the RCMP's criminal investigation is ongoing.
Assistant RCMP Commissioner Elija Rain, who is acting as the commanding officer in British Columbia, stated that investigators have made considerable strides in the investigation. However, he noted that the release of information about the case has been limited to protect investigative strategies and actions from being compromised.
The FBI's complaint, released on October 7, 2026, reveals that Van Rootselaar chatted with Bryant on Discord about possessing a 3D-printed foregrip, firearm magazines, and a "switch" device intended for an SKS rifle, which may refer to a device that converts a firearm to a fully-automatic weapon. Bryant allegedly informed the FBI that Van Rootselaar utilized some of these items during the mass shooting.
Included in the complaint is a photo depicting an individual believed to be Van Rootselaar, kneeling in a black miniskirt and fishnet stockings while holding an olive-green rifle equipped with a telescopic sight on the morning of the massacre. The rifle's barrel end appeared to be outfitted with a suppressor adorned in the blue, white, and pink bands of the transgender Pride flag, reflecting Van Rootselaar's identity as a transgender woman.
In her correspondence with Bryant, Van Rootselaar reportedly mentioned a gun she was planning to utilize in the attack, expressing frustration over its incorrect sights due to the RCMP's rough handling during its confiscation. She noted that the gun had been hitting inaccurately and acknowledged the possibility of finally conducting her plan with a firearm that was not sighted properly, concluding that she was confident she could still achieve her goals.
Another photo presented in the complaint features a Canuck-branded shotgun, which Van Rootselaar indicated would also be part of her attack arsenal. The shotgun was similarly decorated with a sticker in blue, white, and pink, to which Bryant commented, expressing amusement at the idea of being seen in the photos from the incident with those stickers. This correspondence reveals a troubling blend of premeditation and a possible attempt to create a distinctive representation of herself at the time of the attack.
