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.
BOULDER CITY, Nev. — Authorities are investigating a vehicle ramming at a power substation near Boulder City as a terrorism-related incident after the suspect, identified as Dawson Noah Maloney of New York state, intentionally crashed into the facility before fatally shooting himself.
During a press conference, law enforcement officials confirmed that Maloney had traveled from New York to Nevada in a rental vehicle.
License plate reader data tracked his cross-country route.
Investigators also revealed that he had recently been reported missing in New York and had communicated with family members shortly before the incident.
According to authorities, Maloney made statements referencing self-harm and expressing a desire to commit an act that would garner media attention.
In a message to his mother, he reportedly referred to himself as a “dead terrorist son” and stated he felt obligated to carry out the act.
A search of the suspect’s hotel room uncovered materials and literature consistent with preparations for a violent act. Investigators recovered books related to various extremist ideologies, including right- and left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacy, and anti-government movements.
Law enforcement also located explosive materials and components, including thermite, ammonium nitrate, magnesium ribbon, metal pipes, and gasoline.
A subsequent search of the rental vehicle revealed:
- Two shotguns
- An AR-style pistol
- Numerous loaded AR magazines containing .223 ammunition
- A box of shotgun shells
- Two devices described as flamethrowers containing thermite material
- A crowbar and a hatchet
- A cellular phone, which is currently undergoing forensic analysis
Authorities further confirmed that the suspect was wearing soft body armor at the time of the incident.
Officials stated the incident is being treated as a terrorism-related event, and the investigation remains active.
Additional details regarding the suspect’s motives and potential affiliations are still under review.
No additional injuries were reported in connection with the substation crash.
Authorities continue to assess the full scope of the suspect’s actions and any broader implications related to public safety.