A 21-year-old American citizen has been arrested for the fatal shooting of a US Border Patrol Agent in Vermont this week.
A woman named Teresa Youngblut, believed to be from Washington state, has been accused in federal court of using a deadly weapon while attacking a border patrol agent and utilizing and firing a deadly weapon during that assault, as per the announcement from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont.
Reportedly, federal law enforcement had been monitoring Youngblut and a male German citizen, identified by CNN as Felix Baukholt, for a few days after a hotel employee in Lyndonville informed authorities of seeing them dressed in tactical attire and protective equipment and carrying weapons. Prior to the shooting on January 20, law enforcement spotted the duo in a Walmart parking lot in Newport a few hours earlier, where Baukholt was observed wrapping items in aluminum foil.
Border patrol agents conducted a traffic stop of a Toyota Prius linked to Baukholt, who was driving on an expired visa, on Interstate 91 in Coventry.
“During the stop, Youngblut fired her handgun without warning toward at least one of the Border Patrol Agents while outside the vehicle, the US Attorney’s Office said. “Her German companion also tried to draw a firearm, and at least one Border Patrol Agent fired his service weapon.”
In the exchange of gunfire, Border Patrol Agent David Maland was fatally wounded, and Baukholt was killed. Youngblut was also shot and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to CNN, agents found multiple firearms, ammunition, two-way radios, and about a dozen other electronic devices in a search of the vehicle, along with military grade gear that included a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles, and a tactical belt with a holster.
Additionally, court documents said, they also found a journal that appeared to belong to Youngblut and identification documents, and utility, lease, and travel information connected with multiple states.
Investigators have not speculated about what Youngblut and Baukholt may have been planning, if anything.
