The FBI released a statement saying that a U.S. Border Patrol Agent was killed by armed gunfire in northern Vermont, on Monday afternoon.
According to The Associated Press, the shooting occurred on Interstate 91 near Coventry. This is about 20 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border.
According to a statement from the FBI Albany, the FBI is investigating this incident as an “alleged assault on a Federal Officer in connection with a deadly shooting.”
According to the statement, a subject and an agent were both killed, and a second was injured. The subject is currently in custody.
The FBI stated that there was no threat to public safety, but that the investigation was “active” and that officials would inform the public as soon as more information became available. The FBI stated that it was investigating the case with Border Patrol officials, and Vermont State Police.
The AP reported, “Benjamine Huffman confirmed in a press release that the agent had died.”
Huffman, in a press release, said that Border Patrol agents risk their lives every day to ensure the safety of Americans and the homeland. The death was described as “in the course of duty.”
The Vermont Congressional Delegation — Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Senate Peter Welch(D), and Rep. Becca Balint at large (D) — released a statement in which they offered condolences both to the Border Patrol and the family of the Border Patrol agent. The Vermont delegation thanked first responders, emergency medical services providers, and Border Patrol for their response.
Border Patrol agents are important in protecting our borders. In the statement, they said that border patrol agents deserve full support when it comes to staffing, wages, and working conditions. We look forward to working together with the agency to ensure that they have the resources needed to carry out the important work they are responsible for.
They continued, “Together we must do all that is possible to prevent future tragedies such as what happened today.”