The tragic killing of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David “Chris” Maland near the Canada-Vermont border on January 20, 2025, has triggered a multi-state manhunt for a woman suspected of supplying the firearms used in the fatal shooting. Michelle J. Zajko, 32, is considered armed and dangerous and is being sought by law enforcement agencies across several states. The incident began with a routine traffic stop conducted by Agent Maland. The target of the stop was a blue 2015 Toyota Prius hatchback with a North Carolina license plate, driven by Teresa Youngblut, 21, with German national Felix Bauckholt as her passenger. The stop, initiated for an immigration inspection, quickly escalated into a deadly shootout. Bauckholt, the registered owner of the vehicle, was found to have an expired visa.
The traffic stop, originally intended as a routine immigration check, turned violent when Youngblut, the driver of the Prius, unexpectedly drew a handgun and fired upon at least one of the Border Patrol agents. This sudden act of aggression initiated a firefight during which both Bauckholt, the passenger, and Agent Maland were fatally shot. Responding agents, arriving at the scene shortly after the initial exchange of gunfire, discovered the aftermath of the violent confrontation.
The investigation into the shooting led to the arrest of Youngblut four days later and revealed a connection to Zajko. Youngblut faces charges of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer. Court documents indicate that Zajko allegedly purchased the .40-caliber and .380-caliber handguns used in the shooting in Mount Tabor, Vermont, in February 2024. This link to the murder weapon has elevated Zajko from a person of interest to a key suspect in the ongoing investigation.
Beyond her alleged involvement in supplying the weapons used in Agent Maland’s death, Zajko is also a person of interest in other violent crimes. Prosecutors have linked her to a double homicide in Pennsylvania and a separate murder in California, further highlighting the potential danger she poses. While details of these additional cases remain undisclosed, their inclusion in the investigation underscores the seriousness of the search for Zajko and the potential breadth of her criminal activities.
The fallen agent, David “Chris” Maland, was a decorated veteran with both military and law enforcement service. A Minnesota native and U.S. Air Force veteran with nine years of military service, Maland dedicated 15 years to federal government service, including his role as a Border Patrol agent. He served at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station and was also a K-9 handler. Prior to his assignment in Vermont, Maland served as a Border Patrol agent in Texas, near the southern border. His death is a significant loss to the law enforcement community and the nation he served.
The ongoing investigation into Agent Maland’s death is a multi-agency effort, with the FBI coordinating information sharing and pursuing leads related to Zajko and her potential associates. The investigation’s scope extends beyond Vermont, encompassing potential connections to violent crimes in other states, reflecting the complexity and seriousness of the case. The FBI is working diligently to apprehend Zajko and bring all those responsible for Agent Maland’s death to justice, while simultaneously working to ensure the safety of law enforcement officers involved in the pursuit.
