Crime
Washington State Woman Arrested in Fatal Shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Vermont
The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, approximately nine miles south of the U.S.-Canada border.
ORLEANS COUNTY, VT – Authorities have identified 21-year-old Teresa Youngblut of Washington State as the second suspect in the fatal shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David “Chris” Maland earlier this week.
Youngblut has been charged with the intentional use of a deadly weapon while forcibly assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and discharging a firearm during an assault, according to court records.
The charges were detailed in an eight-page affidavit filed by the FBI on Wednesday and unsealed in U.S. District Court in Burlington on Thursday morning.
The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, approximately nine miles south of the U.S.-Canada border.
Agent Maland conducted the stop after receiving a lookout alert for the suspects’ vehicle, a blue 2015 Toyota Prius with North Carolina license plates.
Two additional Border Patrol vehicles arrived on the scene before gunfire erupted.
Youngblut and her companion, 30-year-old German national Felix Baukholt, were both armed at the time of the stop. Youngblut allegedly opened fire without warning, striking Maland.
Baukholt attempted to draw a firearm but was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents. Maland sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the neck and was pronounced dead at North Country Hospital in Newport.
According to the FBI affidavit, Youngblut and Baukholt had been under surveillance by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) since January 14. A hotel clerk in Lyndonville had reported concerns after the suspects checked in wearing tactical gear, with Youngblut openly carrying a firearm.
Investigators tracked their movements, including surveillance at a Walmart in Newport on January 20, where Baukholt was observed purchasing aluminum foil and wrapping unknown objects inside the vehicle.
Youngblut and Baukholt were seen walking in downtown Newport on January 19 in similar tactical attire, and both were reported to be armed. Despite multiple attempts by federal agents to engage them in conversation, the suspects refused to cooperate.
Following the shooting, a court-ordered search of the Prius uncovered a significant cache of tactical gear and weaponry, including:
- A ballistic helmet and night-vision monocular
- A tactical belt with a holster and loaded magazine
- Two full-face respirators
- 48 rounds of .380-caliber jacketed hollow point ammunition
- Used and unused shooting range targets
- Two-way radios, electronic storage devices, and identification documents
- Travel and lodging records for multiple states
- A journal maintained by Youngblut
The Vermont State Police Bomb Squad, in coordination with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), used robotic technology to ensure the vehicle was safe before collecting evidence.
Youngblut, who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident, is currently receiving medical treatment at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. She is expected to appear in federal court as early as this afternoon.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher is leading the prosecution, with the Office of the Federal Defender assigned to represent Youngblut.
The FBI confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations had been conducting an inquiry into the suspects and a potential third accomplice in the days leading up to the shooting.
However, it remains unclear whether Border Patrol agents had been fully briefed on the nature of the investigation before they conducted the traffic stop, a tactic known as a “Whisper Stop,” in which officers are not given full details of an ongoing investigation.
Authorities have also revealed that Baukholt had overstayed his temporary work visa, raising questions about how he obtained a firearm as a non-resident.
Agent David Maland, 44, a K-9 handler with his partner Cora, had served with the Border Patrol for approximately a decade and was engaged to be married. His remains were transported from Burlington to Albany, N.Y., for a flight home to Minnesota.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact the FBI or Vermont State Police.
More details will be released as the investigation progresses.
Crime
16-Year-Old Shot and Killed by Off-Duty Deputy During Shoplifting Confrontation at Walmart in Poinciana
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A 16-year-old male was shot and killed Thursday evening during a confrontation inside a Walmart store in Poinciana, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Christopher Blackmon said the incident occurred shortly before 8:00 p.m. at the Walmart located at 904 Cypress Parkway.
An off-duty deputy working security at the store was alerted by a loss prevention officer that three individuals were allegedly concealing merchandise inside their clothing.
As the deputy and store personnel attempted to make contact near the front of the store, one of the suspects reportedly fled while holding a firearm. Sheriff Blackmon stated that the deputy discharged his weapon, striking the armed individual.
“Our deputy fired downrange at the suspect and took him out,” Blackmon said during a media briefing.
The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities later confirmed he was a 16-year-old resident of Poinciana. His name has not been publicly released.
The two other individuals who were reportedly with the teen fled the store immediately following the shooting.
Early dispatch information indicated that two male subjects wearing dark clothing left in an unknown direction, prompting a coordinated search effort.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office assisted Osceola County authorities with perimeter operations and area searches. Shell casings were recovered at the scene, and a K-9 unit was deployed to assist in tracking.
By Friday, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the two additional individuals had been identified and accounted for.
One is a juvenile and the other is an adult in his 20s. It remains unclear whether charges will be filed.
Polk County deputies cleared the scene later in the evening, and the investigation remains under the jurisdiction of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities confirmed that the deputy involved in the shooting was not injured.
In accordance with standard protocol for deputy-involved shootings, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is conducting an independent investigation into the use of force.
Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation remains active.
Additional details, including further information about the deceased teen, are expected to be released as the inquiry progresses.