U.S. Border Patrol Agent Killed in Vermont

A United States Border Patrol agent was killed during a shooting in Coventry, Vermont on Monday, January 20th. 

The incident occurred on Interstate 91 roughly 20 miles from the U.S.-Canada border. On Tuesday, Essex County Senator Russ Ingalls revealed the identity of the Border Patrol Agent to be David Maland. Vermont State police are working with the FBI to investigate the shooting that killed Maland and another person, with the FBI announcing on Tuesday that a third person involved in the shooting was injured and is now in custody. 

A statement issued on Monday said, “On January 20, a Border Patrol agent assigned to the US Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector was fatally shot in the line of duty. The incident is currently being investigated and CBP will release more information as it becomes available.”

As of Tuesday, the FBI has stated that there is no threat to the public following the incident. 

A joint statement released on Monday by Senators Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, and Representative Becca Balint said, “Vermont and the U.S. Border Patrol experienced a tragic loss when a Border Patrol agent assigned to the Swanton Sector was shot and killed near Coventry, Vermont. Our deepest condolences go out to the agent’s family, and to the Border Patrol. We will continue to monitor this situation with federal and state authorities and are appreciative of the first responders and emergency medical service providers who responded to the scene.”

The statement by the officials continued, “Border Patrol agents do important work protecting our borders. They deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay and working conditions. 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. Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today.”