A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed in Vermont on Monday whereas performing their duties close to the Canada-U.S. border, in line with U.S. federal and state authorities.
U.S. Customs and Border Safety (CBP) mentioned in an announcement the agent was assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector, which covers the border shared by upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, japanese Ontario and Quebec.
Vermont State Police mentioned in an announcement the taking pictures occurred at about 3:15 p.m. ET on Interstate 91 within the space of Coventry, Vt., which sits roughly 30 kilometres south from the official border crossing at Stanstead, Que.
Native TV station WCAX reported that the agent was shot throughout a site visitors cease. It mentioned one different particular person was shot and killed and one other was shot and wounded.
The taking pictures is being investigated by U.S. federal authorities, together with the FBI, with the assistance of state authorities, in line with the Vermont State Police. It mentioned the southbound lanes of Interstate 91 remained closed late Monday night, whereas the northbound lanes had been opened.
“My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Division, the Agent’s household, family members, and colleagues,” mentioned appearing secretary of homeland safety Benjamine Huffman in an announcement.
The Canada Border Companies Company additionally issued an announcement of condolences.
“We’re very saddened by the passing right now of a U.S. Border Patrol officer whereas on responsibility in Vermont,” it mentioned. “Our deepest ideas and sympathies are with the household, buddies, and colleagues of a revered member of the border safety neighborhood.”
The Swanton Sector has the best charge of unlawful crossings from Canada wherever alongside the Canada-U.S. border.
Most crossings on this space happen alongside the upstate New York and Vermont borders with japanese Ontario and Quebec.
In November 2024, U.S. Border Patrol brokers intercepted a Venezuelan nationwide who had crossed into the U.S. by way of Stanstead, Que., on a bike and who was discovered with a loaded .22 semi-automatic pistol, a suppressor and two Glock magazines totalling 30 9-millimetre rounds.
U.S. President Donald Trump has tied his threats to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian items to unlawful crossings and fentanyl flowing south over the border. The Canadian authorities just lately introduced it was spending over $1 billion in further border safety measures that may see new helicopters, drones and officers patrolling it.
Unlawful crossings from Canada by way of the Swanton Sector in December decreased sharply in comparison with final yr, in line with the newest U.S. information. Border authorities intercepted 510 individuals in December, in comparison with 1,178 throughout the identical month final yr.
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