US co-conspirator allegedly ‘offered advice’ to Canadian school shooter before attack – live updates
Criminal complaint shows Bryant communicated with alleged shooter every day for six monthspublished at 9:43 p.m. BST
Kwasi Gyamfi Asiadu
Live reporter
The BBC has just examined the US federal complaint against James Cody Bryant.
The 41-page document includes photos and text messages that authorities say were sent between Bryant and the 18-year-old suspected shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar.
According to federal law enforcement, the two met online three years ago, losing contact twice while Van Rootselaar was admitted to a mental health facility. They communicated daily on the Discord app in the six months before the mass shooting. They discussed, among other things, sending 3D printed weapons across the Canada-US border.
The text messages appear to show that Bryant initially suggested targeting a shopping center rather than a school.
Bryant also told the shooter to delay or not carry out the attack at one point during their conversations, but ultimately told Van Rootselaar he would not “report” to the police.
As we reported earlier, Bryant was charged with conspiracy to murder people in a foreign country. Bryant is scheduled to appear in court later today and does not yet have an attorney listed.
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