A violent confrontation near the US-Canada border has resulted in the deaths of a German citizen and a US Border Patrol agent. The incident occurred during a routine vehicle check on Interstate 91, approximately 32 kilometers south of the border. The two individuals involved had been under FBI surveillance for several days prior to the shootout.
The altercation unfolded when the female driver of the vehicle, Teresa Youngblut, 21, suddenly exited the car and opened fire on Border Patrol officers without warning. The passenger, Felix B., a German citizen, reportedly attempted to draw a weapon during the exchange but was shot in the process. The Border Patrol agent and Felix B. both died from gunshot wounds, while Youngblut was injured.
Felix B. had been in the US on a valid tourist visa, and Youngblut faces multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and the discharge of a firearm in relation to the attack. She is expected to appear in federal court for formal charges on Monday. Investigators are still determining who fired the fatal shots during the shootout, as multiple Border Patrol agents are reported to have returned fire.
The FBI had been monitoring the pair since January 14 after receiving reports of suspicious activity. A hotel employee reported that Youngblut was armed and both individuals were wearing tactical gear. Though questioned by federal officers, the pair claimed they were in the area to search for real estate and provided no further details. The FBI found additional suspicious items during a search of their vehicle, including wrapped cell phones, ammunition, night-vision goggles, and other tactical gear.
The couple had been under investigation for potentially serious crimes, with authorities investigating their possible links to criminal activities such as fraud and hacking. The investigation continues, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities work to determine the full scope of the incident.
Image for Illustrations Peace Arch Border Crossing Canada Border Services Agency by dherrera_96 on Wikipedia CC-BY-2.0
