NEWPORT, VT — A group known as the Zizians, led by a figure referred to as Ziz, has come under intense scrutiny following a string of violent incidents, including the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland near the Canadian border in January. The group is also connected to other deaths across Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California, highlighting a complex and deadly operation spanning several states.
Jack Lasota, 34, identified as the leader of the Zizians, was arrested in Maryland alongside Michelle Zajko, 33, of Media, Pennsylvania. Both face several charges, including trespassing and possession of a handgun. Their arrest has shed more light on the secretive group, which originally formed online around shared extremist ideologies.
Maryland State Police, who coordinated with multiple agencies, confirmed the arrests on Monday. A bail hearing for Lasota and Zajko is scheduled for Tuesday morning at Allegany District Court, promising to be a crucial next step in unraveling the activities of the Zizians.
The investigation into the Zizians escalated after Agent Maland, 44, was fatally shot on January 20 during a traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont—a quiet town about 20 miles from the border. The incident marked a turning point in what has become a nationwide manhunt for members of the group.
The origins of the Zizians trace back to an online forum where young, highly intelligent individuals with backgrounds in computer science connected over shared radical views. Their discussions ranged from radical veganism and gender identity issues to the dangers of artificial intelligence, painting a broad yet disturbing ideological spectrum.
Central to the Zizians’ belief system is the notion that societal norms and rationalist groups threaten their views on personal identity and freedom. Ziz, real name Jack LaSota, who identifies as a transgender woman, ran a blog where she expressed disdain towards these groups and posited theories on the dual nature of human cognition, sometimes promoting violence as a necessary response.
Despite the recent arrests, the evasive nature of the group has kept many details about their operations and objectives shrouded in mystery. Daniel McGarrigle, attorney for LaSota, has consistently declined to comment on her connection to the deaths or her recent legal troubles.
Local authorities and national law enforcement continue to probe the extent of the Zizian’s network, hoping to prevent further violence and clarify the motives behind their actions. As communities affected by these tragedies seek closure, the coming trials may offer new insights into the dark world of the Zizians and the enigmatic figure at its center.