German on expired H1-B visa suspect in fatal shooting of Vermont border agent

One of the suspects involved in the fatal shooting of a Border Patrol agent near the US-Canada border on Monday has been identified as a German citizen who was residing illegally in the United States due to an overstayed H1-B visa.

According to a report by Just The News, the suspect involved in the shooting has been identified as Felix Bauckholt, who was residing in the country illegally due to his visa being expired. Bauckholt’s H1-B visa was issued in 2022 but had since expired. He had applied to change his status to a student visa in 2024, but the application was unsuccessful.

The incident occurred in Newport, Vermont, during a routine patrol stop by Border Patrol agents. While conducting a records check, a female occupant of the vehicle was removed for questioning. She reportedly broke free and opened fire on the agents, prompting law enforcement to return fire. Bauckholt then exited the vehicle and began firing at agents before being fatally struck by gunfire. 

The female suspect survived the incident. One Border Patrol agent, who sustained severe injuries during the exchange, was transported to a hospital where he later died.

The shooting gained national attention as it took place on the same day as President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Trump, who has consistently advocated for stricter immigration policies, signed an executive order on his first day in office declaring a national emergency at the US southern border. Trump highlighted the number of bad actors who have entered the country illegally, vowing to crack down in order to strengthen national security.

“This assault on the American people and the integrity of America’s sovereign borders represents a grave threat to our Nation,” Trump’s executive order stated.