(DailyChive.com) – The nationwide manhunt for Michelle Zajko, linked to a Border Patrol agent’s murder, reveals troubling ties to a sprawling multi-state crime network.
At a Glance
- Michelle Zajko is being pursued across the U.S., connected to Vermont agent murder and more cases in CA and PA.
- Agent David Maland was tragically killed in Vermont during an immigration inspection stop.
- Teresa Youngblut was apprehended, facing assault charges against a federal officer.
- Felix Bauckholt, involved in the incident, lost his life to law enforcement.
Nationwide Manhunt for a Suspected Killer
Federal agents are on a nationwide search for Michelle J. Zajko, aged 32, who is believed to have procured firearms used in the murder of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont. Zajko is involved in a criminal network extending across several states, which includes alleged connections to homicides in California and Pennsylvania.
Zajko purchased the handguns implicated in Agent David Maland’s death in Vermont this past February. Authorities emphasize that Zajko is “armed and dangerous,” and despite intense efforts, she remains elusive.
Unfolding Events and Unanswered Questions
Agent David “Chris” Maland, who served the federal government for 15 years after a tenure in the Air Force, was shot near the Canada-Vermont border on January 20. Maland’s death unfolded during a routine immigration inspection traffic stop.
Teresa Youngblut, 21, was arrested at the scene and charged with assault against federal officers, indicating a deeper layer of involvement. The situation was intensified by the death of another suspect at the site, Felix Bauckholt, a German citizen suspected of expired legality in the U.S.
Bizarre Connections Across States
Zajko’s reach extends beyond Vermont, with links to violent cases across the country. In Pennsylvania, official interest peaked around double murder associations, and in California, similar murmurings surround a former landlord’s murder case.
“The United States Attorney’s Office District of Vermont has charged Youngblut with assault on a federal law enforcement officer” – the FBI’s office in Albany
Both Youngblut and Bauckholt reportedly wielded firearms. Notably, Youngblut, associated with the enigmatic “Zizians,” allegedly fired upon Maland. The FBI is sharing intelligence with multiple agencies to delve into this case’s intricate web.
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