A US Border Patrol agent was shot and killed in Vermont, south of the border, authorities say

COVENTRY, Vt. (AP) — A U.S. Border Patrol agent was killed Monday in northern Vermont, south of the Canadian border, authorities said.

The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that the agent was killed in the line of duty, without providing details.

Vermont State Police said the shooting happened Monday afternoon on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles from the Canadian border. State Police officers were assisting federal authorities, including the FBI and Homeland Security.

Part of the highway was then closed in both directions for approximately two hours. The northbound lane reopened shortly after 5 p.m.

Coventry is near the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Newport Station, which is part of the Swanton Sector, which encompasses Vermont and parts of New York and New Hampshire. The zone includes 295 miles (475 kilometers) of international border with Canada.