A chilling shootout near the Canadian border in Vermont has unearthed dangerous ties to a cultlike group, bringing attention to an obscure but deadly network operating across state lines. The January 20, 2025, incident resulted in the death of Border Patrol agent David Maland and raised alarms about the growing threat posed by radicalized factions in the United States.
At the heart of this violent confrontation is 21-year-old Teresa Youngblut, who has been charged in the killing and is alleged to be affiliated with the Zizians, a cult whose members have previously been tied to homicides in California and Pennsylvania.
The Traffic Stop That Turned Deadly
The deadly encounter unfolded along Interstate 91, a stretch of highway that runs near the U.S.-Canada border. Teresa Youngblut and her companion, Felix Bauckholt—a German national—were traveling in a Prius when they were pulled over by U.S. Border Patrol agents. The two had already attracted law enforcement’s attention days earlier.
On January 13, a hotel employee in Newport, Vermont, had reported the couple as suspicious. They were seen wearing black tactical gear and carrying at least one firearm. Surveillance footage later confirmed their presence at the Newport City Inn, further deepening concerns.
On January 19, Homeland Security Investigations alerted Newport Station that the male suspect, Bauckholt, was a German citizen in possession of an H1B visa, though his immigration status remained uncertain. Both suspects were under close surveillance by the time the traffic stop occurred the following day.
According to the official report by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, roughly 30 minutes into the stop, the agents requested that Youngblut and Bauckholt step out of the vehicle for further questioning. Without warning, Youngblut drew a firearm and opened fire. Agent David Maland was fatally shot in the neck. A fellow agent responded swiftly, returning fire and striking Youngblut in the arm and leg.
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Meanwhile, Bauckholt attempted to draw a weapon but failed to comply with commands to halt. He was shot twice in the chest and died at the scene. The agent who fired those shots reported the sequence of events, and two minutes later, a distress call was made stating that one of their own had suffered a critical gunshot wound. Despite efforts by fellow agents and a Vermont state trooper, Agent Maland succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
Unmasking the Zizians Connection
The names Youngblut and Bauckholt quickly triggered alarms in federal law enforcement databases due to their suspected links to the Zizians—a cultlike group reportedly led by Jack LaSota, known as “Ziz.” The group is believed to promote anti-government ideologies and has been associated with previous violent acts in both Pennsylvania and California.
A composite of surveillance and arrest images released by authorities highlights other known associates of the Zizians, including Alexander Leatham, Emma Borhanian, Gwen Danielson, and Maximilian Snyder. These individuals, along with Youngblut and Bauckholt, were allegedly part of a network that idolized violence and embraced a warped ideology of self-determination and rebellion against the federal system.
According to law enforcement sources, the Zizians operate in a decentralized manner, making their activities harder to track. Their presence online has also made it easier to radicalize and recruit new members across state lines. Federal agencies have been monitoring their activities, but the group’s amorphous structure has posed significant challenges in preventing incidents like the Vermont shootout.
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Authorities believe that Youngblut and Bauckholt may have been on a mission or operating under orders from Ziz himself. Their preparation—tactical clothing, firearms, and evasive behavior—suggests a premeditated effort to confront or escape law enforcement at any cost. The cult’s ideology, combined with the group’s secretive nature, has created a volatile mix of fanaticism and criminal intent.
Legal Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
In the aftermath of the shootout, Youngblut was apprehended and treated for her gunshot wounds. She has been charged with multiple federal offenses, including intentionally using a deadly weapon against federal law enforcement and discharging a firearm during an assault. In her first court appearance, she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Fabienne Boisvert-DeFazio, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, has stated that the office will not comment on ongoing investigations beyond what has been released publicly. This signals that the case is still under active review and may involve additional charges or suspects in the future.
Investigators recovered two firearms from the scene, believed to have been used by Youngblut and Bauckholt. Ballistics tests confirmed that the fatal shot to Agent Maland’s neck came from Youngblut’s weapon. She reportedly fired four rounds, while the responding agent fired approximately eight in self-defense.
This case has reignited discussions about the dangers law enforcement officers face, particularly when confronting individuals affiliated with radical or violent ideologies. Agent Maland’s death marks a tragic reminder of the risks borne by those tasked with securing the nation’s borders and upholding the rule of law.
In the broader scope, this incident has also raised red flags about the ability of such cultlike groups to operate in secrecy while accumulating weapons and plotting potential violence. Law enforcement agencies are now placing greater emphasis on monitoring groups like the Zizians, hoping to prevent future tragedies.
The tragic loss of Agent Maland has been mourned across the law enforcement community. He is remembered as a dedicated officer who upheld his duty to the very end. Memorial services were held privately at the request of his family, and tributes have poured in from across the country.
Meanwhile, as Teresa Youngblut awaits trial, many questions remain unanswered. What were she and Bauckholt planning? Were they acting on their own or as part of a larger coordinated plan? And what other threats might still linger from the Zizians’ network?
As the investigation continues, federal authorities remain committed to uncovering the full scope of this deadly incident and dismantling the violent ideology behind it. With heightened awareness and cooperation across agencies, officials hope to bring more clarity to the shadowy world that enabled this act of violence—and ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.