Washington man conspired with Canadian school shooter before attack, officials say

SEATTLE -- Federal authorities have arrested and charged a 30-year-old man from Washington state in connection with a February school shooting in British Columbia.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Seattle says James Cody Bryant of Bellingham, Washington, communicated with the 18-year-old shooter for six months ahead of time. He did not report her plans to authorities and conspired with her to broadcast the attacks, authorities allege.

Authorities say Jesse Van Rootselaar killed eight people and wounded 25 others. She first killed her mother and stepbrother at home before attacking a nearby school in the mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, officials said.

It was Canada’s deadliest mass shooting in years.

Van Rootselaar was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.