<<The border shooting in Vermont involved a U.S. Border Patrol agent named David Maland, who was fatally shot on January 20, 2025, during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont, approximately 20 miles from the Canadian border. Here are the details known about the incident:
- Victim: David Maland, a U.S. Border Patrol agent, was killed in the line of duty. He was assigned to the Swanton Sector, which covers Vermont, parts of New York, and New Hampshire.
- Incident Details: The shooting occurred during an attempt to conduct an immigration inspection. According to reports, Maland stopped a blue Toyota Prius driven by Teresa Youngblut, a 21-year-old woman from Washington state. Her German companion, Felix Baukholt, was also in the vehicle.
- Suspects:
- Teresa Youngblut was arrested and charged with using a deadly weapon to assault, resist, or impede a federal law enforcement officer, and another charge related to the use of a firearm during the assault.
- Felix Baukholt was killed in the shootout. Initially, there were claims on social media and from some sources that he might have been an illegal immigrant, but later clarifications established that his visa was current at the time of the incident.
- Investigation: The FBI was involved in the investigation, with agents from the Albany, New York office responding. They reported that Youngblut and Baukholt had been under periodic surveillance since at least January 14, following a report from a hotel employee in Lyndonville, Vermont, about their suspicious behavior and attire.
- Aftermath:
- The scene was processed, leading to a temporary closure of Interstate 91.
- Items found in the vehicle included tactical gear like a ballistic helmet, night vision goggles, and ammunition, along with objects wrapped in aluminum foil, which were observed being prepared by Baukholt in a Walmart parking lot shortly before the shooting.
- Public and Official Response: Vermont’s lawmakers expressed condolences and called for increased support for Border Patrol agents. Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman highlighted the daily risks agents face to ensure homeland security.
- Controversy and Misinformation: Posts on X (formerly Twitter) initially spread misinformation about the visa status of the suspects, which was later corrected by official statements from the FBI, clarifying that Baukholt’s visa was not expired.
The incident has been widely covered by various news outlets, including AP News, ABC News, The Washington Post, and NBC5, providing updates on the investigation and the legal proceedings against Youngblut. >>