Maryland authorities have arrested Jack Lasota, a 34-year-old believed to be the leader of a cult-like group called the Zizians. He was taken into custody on Sunday along with 33-year-old Michelle Zajko from Pennsylvania. The two face multiple charges, including trespassing, obstructing justice, and illegal possession of a handgun in their vehicle. Their bail hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Reports suggest that the Zizians group has been connected to several violent crimes, including the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland in January. Maland, 44, was killed in a shootout after a traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, a small town near the Canadian border. Authorities believe the Zizians are responsible for at least five other homicides across Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California, but officials have not shared many details about the case.
An investigation by the Associated Press uncovered online posts showing how this group formed. Most members are young, highly intelligent computer scientists in their 20s and 30s. They reportedly met online, bonded over anarchist beliefs, and gradually turned to violence. Their writings cover various topics, including radical veganism, gender identity, and artificial intelligence. However, their true motives remain unclear.
Lasota, who goes by the alias “Ziz,” has been seen at multiple crime scenes and has connections to several suspects. Under this fake name, Lasota ran a controversial blog where she wrote about complex and sometimes violent theories. One post claimed that the two hemispheres of the brain could have separate values and genders, sometimes wanting to “kill each other.” Lasota, a transgender woman who uses she/her pronouns, often spoke against online rationalist groups that focus on understanding human thinking through logic and reason. Some of her writings also discussed the risks of artificial intelligence.
Before her arrest, Lasota had skipped court appearances in two states, leading to bench warrants against her. Her attorney, Daniel McGarrigle, confirmed that he has represented her but refused to comment on her latest arrest.
This arrest happened around the same time as another high-profile case in Washington state. Chad Wilson, a 41-year-old homeowner, was convicted of manslaughter and murder after he shot and killed Richard Taii, 31. Wilson believed Taii was stealing his mail and confronted him and two women outside his home. He blocked their car in a cul-de-sac before opening fire. The incident occurred in Port Orchard, near Seattle, in January 2023.
