A U.S. Border Patrol agent was killed in a shooting on Monday in northern Vermont, not far from the Canadian border, according to law enforcement officials.
The shooting, which occurred on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles south of the border, also resulted in the death of a suspect and the injury and arrest of another.
The identity of the fallen agent, who was assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector, wasn’t disclosed in the DHS update. The Swanton Sector is responsible for patrolling Vermont and portions of New York and New Hampshire.
“Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm’s way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure,” Huffman said. “My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agent’s family, loved ones, and colleagues.”
The FBI said in a statement regarding the incident that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting remain limited, and federal authorities have said they will release additional information as it becomes available.
In response to the shooting, a section of Interstate 91 was temporarily closed in both directions for about two hours. The northbound lane was reopened shortly after 5 p.m.
The investigation into the incident involves not only federal authorities but also the Vermont State Police. The FBI’s Albany, New York office has also sent personnel to aid the investigation.
Huffman emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “This incident is being swiftly investigated and DHS will release additional information as soon as it becomes available.”
Coventry, where the shooting took place, is close to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Newport Station, which is part of the Swanton Sector, responsible for patrolling and securing a large swath of the U.S.-Canada border that covers 295 miles.
The incident highlights the dangers Border Patrol agents face in the line of duty.
The helicopter was a U.S. CBP Air and Marine Operations aircraft, Eurocopter AS350-B3, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. A spokesperson for the agency told NTD, sister media of The Epoch Times, that the helicopter crashed near Potrero, east of San Diego.
The pilot, Air Interdiction Agent Jeffrey Kanas, was on a border security mission when the accident occurred, a CBP spokesperson told NTD News.
