Vermont officials identify U.S. Border Patrol agent killed Monday in Coventry – VTDigger

Vermont officials on Tuesday identified the U.S. Border Patrol agent killed Monday afternoon in Coventry as David Maland.

The incident occurred on Interstate 91 at around 3:15 p.m., according to Vermont State Police. The FBI said Monday that a Border Patrol agent was fatally shot and that one “subject” was also killed. A third person was injured and in custody, according to the FBI. 

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said the agent was “killed in the line of duty” and that the fallen officer had been assigned to the Swanton Sector of the border, which extends from New York through Vermont and New Hampshire. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, federal and state agencies had not officially identified the agent, but at the Vermont Statehouse, two state officials did.

Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday morning, Sen. Russ Ingalls, R-Essex, identified Maland following a moment of silence.

“I just want to put a name to the face of the officer that was killed yesterday,” Ingalls said. “His name is David Maland, and I thank you very much for the moment of silence.” 

At a press conference later Tuesday in his ceremonial Statehouse office, Gov. Phil Scott also identified Maland as the fallen officer, extending his “heartfelt condolences to Agent Maland’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

Public records identify a David C. Maland, 44, of Newport, who previously lived in Texas near the Mexican border, though it was not immediately clear whether the David Maland identified by Ingalls and Scott was the same individual.

In an interview with VTDigger, Ingalls again expressed his condolences and noted the impact that Maland’s death had on community members.

“We have a very personal connection in the (Northeast) Kingdom with law enforcement,” he said. “We honor them, we believe in what they’re doing, and I’m sorry I never got a chance to meet this young man.” 

This story will be updated.

Ethan Weinstein contributed reporting.