A tragic incident occurred on Monday afternoon when a U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot and killed on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont, roughly 20 miles from the Canadian border. Authorities, including the FBI and Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed the agent's death as occurring "in the line of duty." The FBI stated that one suspect was also killed during the encounter, while another has been taken into custody.

The shooting prompted an immediate response, closing a section of the interstate in both directions for about two hours. The northbound lane reopened later that day. In a joint statement, Vermont Senators Bernie Sanders, Peter Welch, and Representative Becca Balint expressed their condolences to the agent's family, emphasizing the importance of supporting Border Patrol agents in their critical work. They highlighted the need for adequate resources, saying, “Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today,” as reported by AP News.

Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating the incident as an assault on a federal officer, ensuring there is no ongoing threat to the public. The FBI has indicated that further details will be released as their investigation progresses. The area surrounding Coventry is integral to border security, with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station located nearby, overseeing 295 miles of the U.S.-Canada border.

For more in-depth coverage, please refer to the original articles by India Times, Le Monde, and The Hill.