A Border Patrol agent was killed during a routine traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, near the U.S.-Canada border, federal authorities revealed on Monday.
Border patrol agent killed
Initial reports from Vermont State Police stated the shooting occurred around 3:15 p.m. on Interstate 91, prompting both sides of the highway to close.
Hours later, federal officials confirmed the agent’s death. The suspect was also fatally wounded during the gunfight.
“On January 20, a Border Patrol agent assigned to the US Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector was fatally shot in the line of duty,” shared the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in a statement.
“The incident is currently being investigated, and CBP will release additional information as soon as it becomes available.”
Although the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withheld the agent’s name, they highlighted that the officer worked in the Swanton Sector, widely regarded as the busiest northern border region.
Local updates detailed that the agent, whose identity remained undisclosed at the time, was shot in the neck while conducting a traffic stop around mid-afternoon.
Benjamin Huffman, acting Secretary of Homeland Security, acknowledged the loss, saying, “Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure.”
“My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agent’s family, loved ones, and colleagues,” he continued.
Adding to this, Huffman mentioned the case would be “swiftly investigated” and assured that DHS would provide more information soon.
The FBI’s Albany office has since taken the lead on the investigation, confirming one Border Patrol agent and one suspect were killed during the event, while a second individual sustained injuries and was taken into custody.
According to their statement, “While there is no threat to the public, Interstate 91 will remain closed due to investigative activity.”
Reporter identifies border patrol agent killed
According to NewsNation reporter Ali Bradley, the perpetrator was said to be an illegal immigrant with a visa overstay.
Bradley posted on X, formerly Twitter, “The shooter is also dead. A woman was injured in the altercation, her status and condition are not known at this time.”
Bradley later identified the fallen agent as 44-year-old David Maland, citing Customs and Border Protection sources.
Maland, a near-decade veteran of the agency, had reportedly recently moved from Texas to take on his Vermont posting.
On Tuesday morning, DHS sources provided more details to Bradley, stating the suspect, a German citizen who overstayed on an H1B visa, was traveling with an American woman, and both were armed.
Illegal immigrants arrested for burglary of Bengals QB’s home
Separately, in an unrelated case, four Chilean nationals were arrested for allegedly targeting the Ohio mansion of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
The mansion, valued at $7.5 million, was burglarized in December while Burrow played a game across the country in Dallas, Texas.
TMZ reported that the four suspects, identified as Alexander Chavez, Bastian Morales, Jordan Sanchez, and Sergio Cabello, were detained following a traffic stop on January 10 and found with items thought to be connected to the burglary.
They were pulled over after an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper witnessed the driver violate traffic rules on IR-70.
Three of the men presented the trooper with fake IDs during the traffic stop, which led to a search warrant being executed.
Authorities said that the men who were arrested were “illegally in the country or overstayed their permissions.”
During the traffic stop they were found to be in possession of LSU and Bengals gear that police believe was stolen from Burrow’s home.
According to the report, the group possessed tools commonly associated with the “South American Theft Group,” such as Husky automatic center punches used to break windows.
Thieves allegedly gained access to Burrow’s home through a bedroom window that was shattered.
Cell phone data also reportedly placed one of the men near Burrow’s home during the burglary.
However, despite the evidence, TMZ said none of the suspects currently face burglary charges.
They are instead dealing with other charges, including participation in a criminal gang, possession of criminal tools, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
