The ‘murder gang’ of computer whizzkids linked to the killings of a Border Patrol agent and a landlord 3,000 miles apart

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Teresa Youngblut, 21, had been under FBI surveillance since January 14 after a hotel employee in Lyndonville, Vermont, reported seeing her and another person dressed in black tactical clothing and protective equipment, with Youngblut carrying a holstered firearm They both studied computer science in Washington and appeared to follow the “vegan Sith” ideology of a fringe Bay Area group that has been described as a “murder gang,” the outlet reported, citing an interview with a person familiar with the group. That day, investigators approached Youngblut and Baukholt, but the pair “declined to have an extended conversation,” according to the affidavit, which also stated that they claimed they were “in the vicinity to look at purchasing property.” open image in gallery Border Patrol Agent David Maland was killed ‘without warning’ during the traffic stop Days later, on the afternoon of January 20, multiple Border Patrol agents conducted a traffic stop and pulled the Prius over for an immigration inspection. open image in gallery Law enforcement follow a hearse carrying fallen border patrol agent David Maland after he was shot and killed on January 20 A search of the Prius revealed the pair had been traveling with a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles, 48 rounds of ammunition, used shooting range targets, and a dozen electronic devices, including cell phones wrapped in aluminum foil, according to the affidavit. open image in gallery Maximilian Snyder, 22, who is believed to be linked to Youngblut, was charged Monday in the murder of Curtis Lind, a landlord in California Thomas Young, who was a friend of Lind’s, told Open Vallejo that when he searched the box trucks after the attack, he made a “creepy” discovery.