A US Border Patrol agent has been shot and killed in Vermont south of the border, authorities say

COVENTRY, Vt. (AP) – A U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot Monday on a highway in northern Vermont south of the Canadian border, authorities said.

The death was confirmed by the FBI and Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington.

In a statement, the FBI said that in addition to the agent, one suspect in the shooting was killed and another suspect was wounded and arrested during the encounter on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles (32 km) from the Canadian border.

The FBI said there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Huffman said the death occurred “in the line of duty.” The identity of the agent, who was assigned to the US Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector, was not immediately released. The sector includes Vermont and parts of New York and New Hampshire.

Federal authorities did not provide further details but said they would be released when they became available.

A portion of Interstate 91 was closed in both directions for about two hours afterward. The northbound lane was reopened just after 17. In addition to federal authorities, the Vermont State Police were also investigating. The FBI responded from the office in Albany, New York.

Huffman said the death would be “quickly investigated.”

“Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way to keep Americans and our homeland safe,” Huffman said in a statement.

Coventry is close to US Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station, part of the Swanton Sector. The area includes 295 miles (475 kilometers) of international border with Canada.