The two suspects who killed a U.S. Border Patrol agent in northern Vermont had an arsenal of weapons and tactical equipment, according to a court. Documents unsealed Friday.
The suspects were identified as Teresa Youngblut of Washington state, who was wounded in the gunfight, and Felix Buckholt, a German national who was killed. Border Patrol Agent “Chris” Marand, 44, also died in an exchange of gunfire on a highway just 20 miles south of the Canadian border.
Court documents do not clarify whether Maland was struck by one of Young Blut’s bullets or by a shot fired by a fellow agent.
The incident unfolded after Border Patrol agents pulled over a blue 2015 Toyota Prius and conducted an immigration check after 3 p.m. Monday. Multiple agents in three vehicles then arrived on the scene, court documents state.
Bauckholt, the vehicle’s registered owner, appeared to have an expired visa in the Department of Homeland Security’s database, according to court documents. The FBI previously said the German national involved in the case was on a current visa.
At one point during the traffic stop, Young Brute fired at at least one agent while standing outside the driver’s door of the Prius. Bauckholt then drew a firearm and prompted at least one border agent to fire at Bauckholt and Youngblut, according to court documents.
Bauckholt was pronounced dead at the scene. Marando was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 4 p.m.
Investigators recovered at the scene a .380 caliber pistol and a .40 caliber pistol that were believed to have been used by the two suspects. YoungBlut is believed to have been fired for at least two rounds. Agents returned fire with at least seven shots, according to court documents.
Homeland Security Investigations agents had been conducting “routine surveillance” of Buckhault and Youngblut since Jan. 14, according to the documents.
Employees at a hotel in Lyndonville, Vermont, contacted law enforcement to report concerns about the man and a woman who had checked into the hotel, documents say. A woman, later identified as Youngblot, was seen carrying “an apparent firearm in an exposed carry holster.” Both Bauckholt and Youngblut were wearing “all black, tactical clothing with protective equipment.”
After receiving a report from a hotel employee, Homeland Security agents attempted to speak with the pair. They refused to have a lengthy conversation, claiming they were in the area where they were looking to buy property, according to court documents.
Young Brute and Buckholt then checked out of the hotel and were seen walking through downtown Newport five days later.
The next day, the pair stopped at Walmart, hours before the deadly traffic stop. There, Buckholt purchased two boxes of aluminum foil. According to court documents, investigators say the suspected cellphone found at the shooting range was wrapped in what appeared to be aluminum foil, an apparent attempt to prevent the phone from being tracked. Masu.
In addition to ammunition, a helmet, and a night vision monocular, investigators searching the suspect’s Prius found a tactical belt with a holster, a handheld two-way radio, a magazine loaded with cartridges, and a shooting range target. I did. According to court documents, this was used.
YoungBlut faces two charges in connection with the incident, including intentional use of a deadly weapon while obstructing federal law enforcement. Her lawyer declined comment.
Marando was a U.S. Air Force veteran from Minnesota. His family described him as a dedicated agent who “truly embodied more than himself.” At the time of his death, Maran was planning to propose to his girlfriend.
“The family is just broken,” his aunt, Joan Marando, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune earlier this week. “He loved his family and lived his life loving his life and her daughter.” I was looking forward to it.”
Marand was the first Border Patrol agent to be killed by gunfire in the line of duty since 2014.
