FBI Arrests Suspect in Murder of Vermont Border Patrol Agent

The FBI announced the arrest of a suspect Friday in the killing of U.S. Border Patrol agent David “Chris” Maland near the Vermont-Canada border.

Washington state resident Teresa Youngblut, 21, was taken into custody after the fatal shooting Monday, according to the FBI’s Albany, N.Y. office

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Vermont has charged Youngblut with assault on a federal law enforcement officer,” it said. “Our hearts remain with our partners in the US Border Patrol Wanton sector as they mourn this tremendous loss.”

Maland, 44, was struck by gunfire during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 between Newport and Orleans, Vermont.

Vermont Border Agent allegedly killed by German national worked at Pentagon during 9/11, family says

Maland, a Minnesota native and U.S. Air Force veteran, worked as a Border Patrol agent at U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station. He spent nine years in the military and 15 working for the federal government.

He was also a K-9 handler and previously served as a Border Patrol agent in Texas near the southern border, Maland’s family told The Associated Press.

“On January 20, 2025, at approximately 1:00 p.m., conducted an immigration inspection while traveling southbound on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont,” read an FBI criminal complaint obtained by Fox News.

“The registered owner of the vehicle, Felix Baukholt, a citizen of Germany, appeared to have an expired visa in a Department of Homeland Security Database. Youngblut was driving the Prius and Baukholt was the sole occupant of the Prius,” it continued.

“Between approximately 3:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., agents reported shots fired at the scene,” the statement said. “Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Cameron Thompson was notified of the incident and responded to the scene of the stop, arriving at approximately 1:00 p.m. Possessing firearms and that Youngblut drew and fired a handgun at at least one of the uniformed Border Patrol agents without warning when outside the driver’s side of the Prius.”

German national suspect identified in killing of US Border Patrol agent in Vermont

“Baukholt then attempted to draw a firearm. At least one Border Patrol agent fired at Youngblut and Baukholt with his service weapon,” The Affidavit also said. “The exchange of gunfire resulted in Border Patrol Agents Maland, Youngblut and Baukholt all sustaining gunshot wounds. Baukholt was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of his injuries.”

Maland also died after being taken to a local hospital for urgent care, while Youngblut is currently receiving care at a facility in New Hampshire, according to the statement.

A Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team investigating the area after the shooting found “two packages of suspect cellphones wrapped in what appeared to be aluminum foil that were left at the USBP Tahoe after the bomb squad clearance,” investigators said.

A search of the Prius later revealed “various pieces (of) tactical gear—including a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggle monocular, a tactical belt with holster and a magazine full of cartridges; two full-face respirators; 48 rounds of .380 -caliber hollow point ammunition;

Border Patrol Agent Killed in Vermont Identified

The FBI also said “investigators had been conducting periodic surveillance of Baukholt and Youngblut since on or about Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

“A concerned citizen—an employee at a hotel in Lyndonville, Vermont—contacted law enforcement after a man and woman checked into the hotel to report concerns about them, including that they appeared to be dressed in all-black tactical-style clothing with Protective Gear with the woman, later identified as Youngblut, holding an apparent firearm in an exposed carry holster,” according to the affidavit.

“Investigators with VSP and Homeland Security Investigations attempted to initiate a consensual conversation with Baukholt and Youngblut, but they declined to have an extended conversation, claiming they were in the vicinity looking at purchasing property,” it said.

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It is unclear when Youngblut will make her first court appearance.

Fox News’ Audrey Conklin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.