The parents of the woman accused of triggering the gun battle that resulted in the death of a border patrol agent mentioned that their daughter severed ties with them and changed her phone number before her arrest.
It has been seven days since 21-year-old Teresa Youngblut reportedly instigated the exchange of gunfire that fatally wounded agent David Chris Maland and her companion, German citizen Felix Baulkholt.
Youngblut and Baulkholt were stopped in Northern Vermont, just a few miles from the US-Canada border, on January 20.
They were being watched by cops at the time as Baulkholt’s visa had expired, and the couple was seen wearing tactical gear in nearby towns.
Following Youngblut’s alleged actions of firing at law enforcement, an agent returned fire. Baulkholt was fatally shot while attempting to reach for his firearm, according to authorities.
Caught in the crossfire was Maland – a 44-year-old US border agent and Air Force veteran from Minnesota.
Youngblut was injured at the scene, and she’s now recovering at a hospital.
On Monday, a bombshell police report revealed Youngblut’s now-disturbing steps to cut off her parents months before the shooting.
In May 2024, her parents reported her missing after they hadn’t heard from her in three days, the report seen by the Associated Press said.
They lost contact after Youngblut moved out of their home and said she was going to live with a friend.
Youngblut changed her phone number after she left, and the family couldn’t get in touch with her.
The suspect’s parents believed she was in an abusive relationship and thought that someone was telling her to isolate herself.
However, police told the parents at the time that she was an adult, so there was nothing they could do.
In November of that year, Youngblut took out a marriage license for a man who was not Bauckholt, according to records in Washington state’s King County.
However, detectives haven’t spoken about this bizarre move or explained its significance.
Youngblut has been hit with two weapons charges in connection with the shooting deaths.
She’s expected to appear for her first court hearing on Monday.
EERIE FINAL STEPS
Cops had their eyes on Youngblut and Baulkholt because they were seen driving around nearby Vermont towns wearing riot gear.
At one point, Youngblut was reportedly seen carrying a gun.
When detectives searched their car, they found a Washington state ID for Youngblut, two guns with ammunition magazines, and cell phones wrapped in aluminum foils.
They also found several laptops and tactical gear, including a ballistic helmet, a night vision monocular, a tactical belt, and hollow point ammunition, according to an affidavit.
Little is known about Youngblut, but it’s been reported that Baulkholt was a top-tier computer science student who was working at a finance company in New York City.
He was using his skills to make complex mathematical models that could help predict market trends, according to a former classmate who knew him.
Baulkholt came to the States on a 0-1A visa, which is only given to immigrants with “extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics.”
He was remembered as kind and helpful by former classmates.
His relationship with Youngblut remains unclear.
