Border Patrol agent shot dead on Vermont highway, near Canadian border, authorities say
Coventry, Vermont — A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed Monday on a highway in northern Vermont, just south of the Canadian border, authorities said.
The deaths were confirmed by the FBI and Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman in Washington.
In addition to the agent, one suspect in the shooting was killed and another was wounded and on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles from the Canadian border, the FBI said in a statement. detained.
The FBI said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Hoffman said the death occurred “in the line of duty.” The agent, whose identity was not immediately released, was assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector. The division includes Vermont and parts of New York and New Hampshire.
Federal authorities did not provide further details but said they would release them as they become available.
Portions of Interstate 91 were closed in both directions for about two hours. The northbound lanes reopened just after 5 p.m. In addition to federal authorities, Vermont State Police are investigating. The FBI responded from its Albany, New York, office.
Hoffman said the death would be “expeditiously investigated.”
“Our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep Americans and our homeland safe,” Huffman said in a statement.
Coventry is close to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Newport Station, which is part of the Swanton District. The area includes the 295-mile international border with Canada.
In a joint statement, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Becca Balint expressed their condolences to the agent’s family and said Border Patrol agents are “working on staffing , wages and working conditions deserve our full support.”
