A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed Monday in Vermont while on duty near the Canada-U.S. border, according to federal and state authorities.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has revealed that Agent David K. Mulland, who is assigned to the US Border Patrol's Swanton Sector, which covers the New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, eastern Ontario and Quebec border.

“US Customs and Border Protection's thoughts and prayers are with Agent Mallend's family at this difficult time,” CBP said in a statement.

Vermont State Police said in a statement that the shooting happened at 3:15 p.m. ET on Interstate 91 in the Coventry area, which is approximately 30 kilometers south of the official border crossing at Stansted, Que.

Local TV station WCAX reported that the agent shot during a traffic stop. Another person is said to have been shot and killed and another injured.

The shooting is being investigated by US federal authorities, including the FBI, with the help of state authorities, according to Vermont State Police. It said the southbound lanes of Interstate 91 remained closed late Monday evening, while the northbound lanes were open.

“My prayers and deepest condolences go out to our department, the agent's family, loved ones and colleagues,” Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman said in a statement.

The Canada Border Services Agency also issued a statement of condolence.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of a U.S. Border Patrol agent today in the line of duty in Vermont,” the statement said.

The Swanton sector has the highest rate of illegal crossings from Canada anywhere along the Canada-US border.

Most crossings in this area occur along the eastern Ontario and Quebec borders of New York and Vermont.

In November 2024, US Border Patrol agents apprehended a Venezuelan national traveling through Stanstead on a motorcycle who was found with a loaded .22 semi-automatic handgun, a suppressor, and two Glock magazines totaling 30 9-millimeter rounds.

U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his threats to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods to illegal crossings and fentanyl flowing south across the border. devices and officers will patrol it.

According to the latest US data, illegal crossings from Canada through the Swanton section in December decreased sharply compared to the previous year. Border authorities arrested 510 people in December 2024, compared to 1178 in the same month of 2023.