Crime
US border patrol agent 44-year-old David Maland killed in Vermont south of border
One suspect was killed during the encounter, while a second suspect was injured and taken into custody.
Coventry, VT — A U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot in the line of duty Monday during an incident on Interstate 91 in northern Vermont, approximately 20 miles south of the Canadian border.
The agent has been identified by sources as 44-year-old David Maland, who had served with the Border Patrol for nearly a decade, joining the agency—known as the “Green Family”—in 2015.
Maland initially served in Texas before transferring to Vermont, where he was assigned to the Swanton Sector, which covers the international border across Vermont, parts of New York, and New Hampshire.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed the agent’s death in an official statement, classifying it as a “line of duty death.” B
enjamine Huffman, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), expressed condolences and assured a thorough investigation into the incident.
The FBI, which is leading the investigation, stated that in addition to Agent Maland, one suspect was killed during the encounter, while a second suspect was injured and taken into custody.
Authorities confirmed that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The FBI’s Albany, New York office, along with the Vermont State Police, responded to the scene.
As a result of the shooting, a portion of Interstate 91 was temporarily closed in both directions for approximately two hours. The northbound lanes were reopened shortly after 5 p.m.
Acting DHS Secretary Huffman emphasized the dedication and sacrifices made by Border Patrol agents, stating:
“Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure. This tragedy will be swiftly investigated to ensure accountability.”
In a joint statement, Vermont lawmakers—Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, and Representative Becca Balint— extended their condolences to the fallen agent’s family and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Border Patrol personnel through enhanced staffing, pay, and working conditions.
The Swanton Sector, where Agent Maland was assigned, is responsible for patrolling 295 miles (475 kilometers) of the U.S.-Canada border, an area that has seen increased enforcement efforts in recent months.
Federal authorities have not released further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting but have assured the public that additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Anyone with information related to the investigation is urged to contact federal or local law enforcement agencies.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.