FBI arrests woman over fatal shooting of US border patrol agent
David Maland was killed in northern Vermont on Monday.
A woman has been arrested woman over the fatal shooting of a US border patrol agent earlier this week, the FBI said.
Teresa Youngblut, 21, from Washington state, was charged in Monday’s killing of border patrol agent David Maland in northern Vermont.
The FBI noted that Youngblut and a German man who died in the firefight that also killed Mr Maland had been under surveillance for several days leading up to the confrontation.
Mr Maland stopped Youngblut and Felix Baukholt on Interstate 91 in Coventry on Monday because Baukholt appeared to have an expired visa, according to an FBI affidavit.
During the stop, Youngblut opened fire on Mr Maland and other officers and Baukholt tried to draw a gun but was shot, the affidavit states.
At least one border agent fired on Youngblut and Baukholt, but authorities have not specified whose bullets hit whom.
Investigators had been performing “periodic surveillance” of the pair since January 14 after an employee at a hotel where they were staying reported concerns about seeing Youngblut carrying a gun and both of them wearing all-black tactical gear.
Investigators attempted to question them but the pair declined to have an extended conversation and said they were in the area looking to buy property.
About two hours before the shooting, investigators watched Baukholt exit a Walmart in Newport with two packages of aluminium foil.
According to the affidavit, he was seen wrapping unidentifiable objects while seated in the passenger seat.
Authorities later found a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles, respirators and ammunition in the car, along with a package of shooting range targets, some of which were used.
They also found two-way radios, about a dozen “electronic devices”, travel and lodging information for multiple states and an apparent journal.
The public defender’s office that will be representing Youngblut did not immediately respond to a voicemail seeking further information.
A man reached at a phone listing for Youngblut’s family in Washington state identified himself as Youngblut’s grandfather and declined to comment.
No one answered the door at homes in Seattle and Redmond, Washington, associated with Youngblut’s name, and neighbours declined to comment.
Mr Maland’s aunt, Joan Maland, declined on behalf of his family to comment on the arrest.
The family issued a statement expressing gratitude for the support they have received.
“To think people who never knew David Christopher Maland personally would reach out with condolences and beautiful words of support has been beyond our imagination,” they said.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Our grief continues, please continue to pray for us.”
