A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed in Vermont on Monday while on duty near the Canada-U.S. border, according to U.S. federal and state authorities.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) identified the agent as David C. Maland, who was assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector, which shares the common border between New York State, Vermont, New Hampshire, Eastern Ontario and Quebec covers.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s thoughts and prayers are with Agent Maland’s family during this difficult time,” the CBP statement said.
Vermont State Police said in a statement that the shooting occurred around 3:15 p.m. ET on Interstate 91 in the Coventry, Vt., area. took place about 30 kilometers south of the official border crossing in Stanstead, Que.
Local television station WCAX reported that the agent was shot during a traffic stop. It said another person was shot and another person was shot and injured.
According to Vermont State Police, the shooting is being investigated by federal authorities, including the FBI, with assistance from state authorities. It said the southbound lanes of Interstate 91 remained closed late Monday evening while the northbound lanes remained open.
“My prayers and deepest condolences go out to our department, the agent’s family, his loved ones and colleagues,” acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman said in a statement.
The Canada Border Services Agency also issued a statement of condolence.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that a U.S. Border Patrol agent died today while on duty in Vermont,” it said. “Our deepest thoughts and sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of a distinguished member of the Border Patrol community.”
The Swanton sector has the highest rate of illegal border crossings from Canada along the Canada-U.S. border.
Most crossings in this area occur along upstate New York and Vermont’s borders with eastern Ontario and Quebec.
In November 2024, U.S. Border Patrol agents intercepted a Venezuelan citizen entering the U.S. on a motorcycle through Stanstead, Que., carrying a loaded .22 semi-automatic pistol, a silencer and two Glock magazines with a total capacity of 30 9 was found -millimeter rounds.
US President Donald Trump has linked his threats to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods to illegal border crossings and the flow of fentanyl south across the border. The Canadian government recently announced that it is spending over $1 billion on additional border security measures that include deploying new helicopters, drones and officers to patrol.
According to the latest U.S. data, illegal border crossings from Canada through the Swanton sector fell sharply in December compared to a year ago. In December 2024, border authorities intercepted 510 people, compared to 1,178 in the same month of 2023.
