US border patrol agent killed in shooting near Canadian border in Vermont, FBI says
One other person was also killed in the shooting, while a third was wounded, the FBI said in a statement.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed Monday afternoon in Vermont near the Canadian border, according to federal authorities.
The agent has been identified as 44-year-old David Maland, according to a post on X from the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association.
The agent was assigned to U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Swanton Sector, which covers parts of Vermont, New York and New Hampshire, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
“Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure," Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of DHS, said in a statement. "My prayers and deepest condolences are with our department, the agent’s family, loved ones, and colleagues."
One other person was also killed in the shooting, while a third was wounded, the FBI said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the Border Patrol told Paste BN on Tuesday that the agency will release more information "as soon as it becomes available."
Border patrol agent killed near Canadian border
The fatal encounter occurred around 3:15 p.m. EST Monday on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 13 miles south of the Canadian border, according to a news release from the Vermont State Police. A portion of the interstate was temporarily closed in both directions.
In its statement, state police referred all other questions to the FBI, which is investigating the shooting. The FBI said in its statement that there was "no threat to the public."
The agent's identity has not been released, and federal authorities did not immediately announce charges for the third individual taken into custody.
Huffman added in his statement that the deaths are being investigated "swiftly."
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Vermont lawmakers express condolences
Vermont's lawmakers in Washington expressed condolences for the border agent’s family while urging more support for the agency on the northern border.
In a joint statement, Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, and Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint, both Democrats, said the agents "deserve our full support."
"We look forward to working with the agency to make sure that they have all the resources they need to do the enormously important work that is their responsibility, according to the joint statement. "Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today."
This story has been updated to add new information.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com