Washington State Resident Indicted for Killing Border Patrol Agent in Vermont
A new indictment was issued against Teresa Youngblut, a Washington state resident, accusing her of shooting and killing a Border Patrol agent in northern Vermont earlier this year. The upgraded charges were not specified to carry the death penalty, but one of Youngblut's attorneys anticipated capital charges to be brought against her. Youngblut, 21, had initially faced firearms and assault charges related to a Jan. 20 shootout on Interstate 91 in Coventry that resulted in the death of Border Patrol agent David "Chris" Maland. Youngblut, who was injured in the incident, received medical treatment at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire and has been in custody since her arrest.
The investigation into the shootout had previously not confirmed whether Youngblut was responsible for Maland's death. However, the new indictment alleges that Youngblut unlawfully killed Border Patrol Agent D.C.M. on Jan. 20 by shooting him while he was performing official duties. During the traffic stop that led to the shootout, Youngblut reportedly exited the vehicle and opened fire, prompting a gunfight with law enforcement. Maland and Felix Bauckholt, a German national who was a passenger in Youngblut's vehicle, were both killed in the exchange of gunfire.
The details of the case are still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.