The group in question is known as the "Zizians," a cult-like organization linked to several violent crimes, including the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in Vermont. Here are key details about the group and the incident:
Overview of the Zizians
- **Ideology**: The Zizians are described as a radical vegan group with anarchist beliefs, focusing on topics such as veganism, gender identity, and artificial intelligence. They are known for their extreme views and violent actions.
- **Leadership**: The alleged leader of the group is Jack "Ziz" LaSota, a 34-year-old transgender individual who was arrested in Maryland on unrelated charges. LaSota had been evading capture for months.
- **Members**: The group consists mainly of young, highly intelligent computer scientists, many of whom are in their 20s and 30s. Some members have been linked to major tech companies.
The Murder of Border Patrol Agent David Maland
- **Incident Details**: On January 20, 2025, Agent Maland was killed during a traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, near the Canadian border. The suspects involved were Teresa Youngblut and Felix "Ophelia" Bauckholt, both connected to the Zizians.
- **Suspects' Actions**: Youngblut, who was driving, opened fire on the agents, leading to a shootout that resulted in the deaths of both Maland and Bauckholt. Youngblut was arrested and charged with firearms offenses.
Arrests and Investigations
- **Recent Arrests**: Jack LaSota and Michelle Zajko, another key figure in the group, were arrested in Maryland on February 16, 2025. They face charges unrelated to Maland's murder, including trespassing and firearm possession.
- **Investigation Scope**: The Zizians are linked to at least six deaths across Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California. The investigation is ongoing, with federal authorities involved.
## Background and Motivations
- **Online Origins**: The group's ideology began to form online around 2016, with LaSota's blog discussing radical veganism and AI theories.
- **Motivations**: While the group's exact goals are unclear, their actions suggest a belief in using violence to challenge societal norms they perceive as violent or unjust.
Sources
[1] How a Vermont border agent's death exposed violence linked to the cultlike Zizian group https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vermont-border-agent-death-exposed-violence-linked-cultlike-zizian-group/
[2] Police arrest alleged leader of anarchist vegan cult tied to series of crimes, including CBP agent murder https://www.foxnews.com/us/police-arrest-alleged-leader-anarchist-vegan-cult-tied-series-crimes-including-cbp-agent-murder
[3] 2 arrested in killing of Border Patrol Agent David Malan from MNd https://www.fox9.com/news/2-arrested-killing-border-patrol-agent-david-malan-from-mnd
[4] 'Transgender vegan cult leader' arrested in US over six deaths - Yahoo https://www.yahoo.com/news/transgender-vegan-cult-leader-arrested-103858819.html
[5] Police arrest alleged leader of 'Zizian' cult tied to US killings https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/police-arrest-alleged-leader-of-zizian-cult-tied-to-us-killings/3485699
[6] Alleged leader of cultlike Zizian group linked to Vermont border agent's killing arrested in Maryland https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jack-lasota-zizian-leader-arrested-in-maryland/
[7] Suspects in killings of Vallejo witness, Vermont border patrol agent connected by marriage license, extreme ideology https://openvallejo.org/2025/01/27/suspects-in-killings-of-vallejo-witness-vermont-border-patrol-agent-connected-by-marriage-license-extreme-ideology/
[8] Leader of Trans-Vegan Cult Linked to VT Border Patrol Murder ... https://nhjournal.com/leader-of-trans-vegan-cult-linked-to-vt-border-patrol-murder-arrested/
[9] Killing of David Maland - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_David_Maland
[10] Police arrest apparent leader of cultlike 'Zizian' group linked to multiple killings in the US https://6abc.com/post/police-arrest-apparent-leader-cultlike-zizian-group-linked-multiple-killings-us/15925626/
[11] Inside the 'Zizians': How a cultish crew of radical vegans became ... https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/zizian-murders-david-maland-curtis-lind-b2698738.html
[12] 3 arrested as probe intensifies into string of bizarre murders nationwide https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/02/17/2-arrested-as-probe-into-bizarre-murders-nationwide-intensifies/78988407007/
[13] Border patrol agent's killing linked to cult-like group - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCyc_yNNNtw
[14] How did a German math genius get drawn into a 'cult' accused in coast-to-coast killings? https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/german-math-genius-get-drawn-cult-accused-coast-coast-killings-rcna189309
[15] Police arrest alleged leader of anarchist vegan cult tied to series of ... https://www.yahoo.com/news/police-arrest-alleged-leader-anarchist-020841585.html
[16] A timeline of activities of a cultlike group tied to the killing of a Border Patrol agent https://6abc.com/post/timeline-activities-cultlike-group-tied-killing-border-patrol-agent/15925779/