The leader of an alleged extremist group known as the Zizians has been apprehended along with two associates in Frostburg, Maryland. Jack LaSota, also called "Ziz," was arrested on Sunday after a resident reported suspicious activity involving three individuals on his property. LaSota, who is wanted for missing court appearances in two states, faces charges linking him and his group to several violent incidents. The Zizians have been implicated in the deaths of six individuals, including a US border patrol agent.
The arrest of LaSota and his companions, Michelle Zajko and Daniel Blank, concluded a tense manhunt. Authorities discovered a rifle in one of the group's box trucks and a handgun on the vehicle's front floorboard. The Zizians, often discussed in online forums, had been on the radar for their radical views and violent tendencies. Prosecutors describe LaSota as "the leader of an extremist group known as Zizians."
A tragic incident unfolded during the group's capture when Ophelia Bauckholt, a passenger in the car, died in a shootout. Teresa Youngblut, the driver, has since pleaded not guilty to federal firearms charges. Youngblut's connection with Maximilian Snyder, who is charged with murder, further complicates the group's web of criminal activities.
Authorities have linked the Zizians to several killings across multiple states. In January, a highway shootout in Vermont resulted in the deaths of US border patrol agent David Maland and a car passenger. The group is also suspected in the December 2022 murders of Richard and Rita Zajko in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Snyder, associated with Youngblut, faces charges for the stabbing death of Vallejo landlord Curtis Lind.
The group's ideology appears to be rooted in LaSota's writings. Known for his controversial blog under the pseudonym "Ziz," LaSota expounds theories about the human brain's hemispheres holding separate values and genders. His writings reveal an alarmingly violent outlook, stating that people "often desire to kill each other."
Further investigations into the group's activities have uncovered additional disturbing connections. Pennsylvania state police records note Daniel Blank as Zajko's housemate in Vermont. This relationship adds another layer to the intricate network surrounding the Zizians.
The group’s involvement in multiple homicides raises significant concerns about their operations and motivations. The killings attributed to them span across Vermont, Pennsylvania, and other states, reflecting a pattern of violence that authorities are keen to dismantle.