Additional Coverage:
A multi-state manhunt is underway for 32-year-old Michelle J. Zajko, considered armed and dangerous. She is suspected of purchasing the handguns used in the fatal shooting of Vermont Border Patrol Agent David “Chris” Maland.
Agent Maland was killed during a traffic stop on January 20th near the Canadian border. Teresa Youngblut, 21, was taken into custody four days later and charged with assaulting a federal officer. Her passenger, Felix Bauckholt, was also armed and fatally shot by agents after Youngblut allegedly opened fire.
Court documents indicate Zajko purchased the .40-caliber and .380-caliber handguns used in the shooting in Mount Tabor, Vermont, in February 2024.
Prosecutors have also identified Zajko as a person of interest in a double homicide in Pennsylvania and another murder in California. They did not release further details about those cases.
Agent Maland was a Minnesota native, Air Force veteran, and K-9 handler. He had served in the military for nine years and worked for the federal government for 15. He had previously served as a Border Patrol agent in Texas.
The traffic stop that led to the shooting occurred when agents noticed Bauckholt, a German citizen, appeared to have an expired visa. Youngblut was driving the vehicle, and Bauckholt was a passenger. The incident quickly escalated into gunfire.
The FBI is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to investigate Zajko’s alleged connections to the other violent crimes. They stressed their commitment to following all leads and ensuring officer safety.