In a heartbreaking incident Monday afternoon, a U.S. Border Patrol agent was tragically shot and killed on a highway in northern Vermont, just south of the Canadian border. The FBI confirmed the officer’s death, and Benjamin Huffman, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, offered his condolences to the agent’s family.
According to authorities, the agent was involved in an encounter on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles from the Canadian border. During the incident, one suspect was fatally shot, and a second was wounded and taken into custody. Thankfully, there’s no ongoing threat to the public, and the FBI has assured everyone that the situation has been fully contained.
The agent, whose identity is still under wraps, was stationed at the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector, which covers Vermont and parts of New York and New Hampshire. Federal authorities have promised a thorough investigation, but they haven’t yet released further details.
In the wake of the tragedy, a section of Interstate 91 was closed for two hours as investigators worked the scene. Vermont State Police joined the FBI in their efforts to get to the bottom of what happened.
Benjamin Huffman expressed his sorrow, calling the agent’s death a loss in the line of duty and honoring the brave men and women who serve to keep America safe. “Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure,” Huffman stated.
This incident took place near the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station, a critical part of the Swanton Sector, which manages a 295-mile stretch of the U.S.-Canada border.
Local leaders, including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Peter Welch, and Representative Becca Balint, shared their condolences and emphasized the importance of supporting Border Patrol agents, particularly when it comes to staffing, pay, and working conditions. These brave officers put their lives on the line every day, and they deserve our full backing.
Our thoughts are with the agent’s family and colleagues during this difficult time.