A U.S. Border Patrol agent in the line of duty and another person were killed Monday in Vermont, just south of the Canadian border, in a shooting incident, officials say.
The incident unfolded on Interstate 91 in Coventry on Monday around 3:15 p.m., Vermont State Police said.
“One U.S. Border Patrol agent was killed, along with one subject. Another subject was injured and is in custody,” the FBI Albany office said.
The FBI did not disclose details regarding the incident but said it is investigating “an alleged assault on a federal officer in connection with a fatal shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol Agent.”
The FBI was working with partners from the U.S. Border Patrol and Vermont State Police to process the scene yesterday. Authorities said at the time there was no threat to the public and Interstate 91 was closed due to investigative activity.
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman said in a statement Monday: “Today, January 20, a Border Patrol agent assigned to the US Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector was fatally shot in the line of duty.”
“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,” Huffman said. “This incident is being swiftly investigated and DHS will release additional information as soon as it becomes available.”
Senators Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint issued a joint statement Monday, saying: “Today, 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 continued.
