(Coventry) A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed Monday in northern Vermont, south of the Canadian border, authorities said.
Updated yesterday at 11:08 p.m.
The death was confirmed by the FBI and Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security in Washington.
In a statement, the FBI said that in addition to the agent, a suspect in the shooting was killed and a second suspect was injured and taken into custody during the encounter on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 32 kilometers from the Canadian border.
The FBI said there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Mr. Huffman said the death occurred “in the line of duty.” The identity of the agent, who was assigned to the Swanton Sector of the United States Border Patrol, was not immediately released. The area includes Vermont and parts of New York and New Hampshire.
Federal officials did not provide additional details but said they would be released as soon as they were available.
The Canada Border Services Agency sent an email in response to the death of the American agent, but did not respond to questions asked by The Canadian Press about whether the agency was involved in an investigation into the incident or if the American authorities had requested his help.
“Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the family, friends and colleagues of a respected member of the border security community,” the statement read.
-“The Canada Border Services Agency supports its U.S. law enforcement counterparts and we stand ready to assist if necessary. »
A spokesperson for Public Safety Canada noted that it was not an investigative agency and directed questions about the incident to the U.S. jurisdiction leading the investigation, saying it would be the only one to answer the question of who she had asked for help.
Quebec provincial police also directed questions to U.S. border authorities.
Part of the highway was closed in both directions for about two hours after the incident. The northbound lane was reopened shortly after 5 p.m. In addition to federal authorities, Vermont State Police also investigated. The FBI responded from its office in Albany, New York.
Mr Huffman said the death would be “promptly investigated”.
“Every day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way to keep Americans and our homeland safe,” Huffman said in a statement.
The Municipality of Coventry is close to the Newport Station of the United States Customs and Border Protection, which is part of the Swanton sector. The area includes 475 kilometers of international border with Canada.
