Suspects armed during deadly shooting of border patrol agent

On Monday, January 24, 2025, in Vermont, federal law enforcement officials were involved in a shooting that resulted in the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent. The situation arose when agents conducted an immigration inspection on a blue 2015 Toyota Prius, owned by Felix Bauckholt, a German national who was later found to have an expired visa. During the inspection, Bauckholt attempted to draw his firearm, leading to a violent confrontation between him, his companion Teresa Youngblut from Washington state, and the Border Patrol agents. As the incident escalated, law enforcement opened fire, killing Bauckholt on the scene. Additionally, Youngblut, who was injured during the exchange, reportedly fired at least two rounds back at the agents. Investigators documented the scene, noting that the suspects were armed with multiple weapons, including two guns and 48 rounds of hollow-point ammunition. Tactical gear found at the scene included a ballistic helmet, night vision equipment, and evidence that suggested the suspects were attempting to evade law enforcement surveillance. Prior to the incident, the Department of Homeland Security had been monitoring both suspects since January 14, 2025, following concerns reported by a hotel employee in Lyndonville, Vermont. The employee suspected that the individuals were behaving suspiciously, prompting Homeland Security agents to investigate. Their attempts to speak with the suspects were met with evasion, and they were later spotted walking in downtown Newport with Youngblut visibly carrying a handgun. The unsealed court documents reveal that a significant amount of prep-work and planning appeared to have gone into evading law enforcement, evident by the discovery of cell phones wrapped in aluminum foil to prevent tracking. This tragic shooting left the Border Patrol community mourning the loss of 44-year-old agent David Maland, a U.S. Air Force veteran. Friends and family described him as dedicated, embodying a service-over-self mentality, and highlighted that he had been planning to propose to his girlfriend before his untimely death. The incident marks a serious reminder of the dangers faced by border patrol personnel while performing their duties and represents the first killing of a Border Patrol agent by gunfire since 2014.