FBI identifies U.S. border patrol agent killed in line of duty near Canadian border

Cars are backed up at the U.S.-Canada border in Stanstead, Quebec, after a shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Coventry, Vt., Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Chloe Jones)

U.S. authorities have released the identity of the border patrol agent who was fatally shot in northern Vermont on Monday, not far from the Canadian border.

U.S. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) said Tuesday evening that David C. Maland was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, VT, roughly 25 kilometres south of the border with Quebec.

According to the FBI, which is leading the investigation into the shooting, Maland was involved in a traffic stop near mile marker 168 when there was “an exchange of gunfire.”

The shooting happened in the CBP’s Swanton sector, a stretch of land that touches parts of Quebec, Ontario and the states of Vermont and New York.

“One subject was killed, and one subject was injured and is currently being treated at an area hospital,” the FBI said.

The Department of Homeland Security identified the deceased individual as a German national in the U.S. on a current visa. Officials did not release any information on the person who was injured.

“We are heartbroken for our partners and share in their grief as they mourn the loss of their colleague, who also served his country as a veteran of the U.S. Air Force,” the FBI said in a statement Tuesday.

The federal agency declined to provide further details.

CBP also released a statement Tuesday, saying “U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s thoughts and prayers are with Agent Maland’s family during this difficult time.”

The FBI, along with representatives from the U.S. Border Patrol and Vermont State Police, is working to determine the events leading up to the shooting as the investigation continues.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) acknowledged the death of the U.S. agent but did not answer questions about whether it was involved in the investigation or if U.S. authorities had requested assistance.

“Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the family, friends, and colleagues of a respected member of the border security community,” the statement reads. “The Canada Border Services Agency stands with its United States law enforcement counterparts, and we are ready to assist as needed.”

The RCMP told CTV News on Tuesday it was not involved in the shooting and said it did not have information regarding any arrests near the Quebec/U.S. border on Monday.