Maryland State Police announced on Monday that they have arrested the supposed leader of the Zizians, a cultlike group, along with another member in Maryland.
Jack Lasota, a 34-year-old man, was apprehended on Sunday along with Michelle Zajko, a 33-year-old resident of Media, Pennsylvania. The two individuals are currently facing several charges, including trespassing, obstructing and hindering, as well as possession of a handgun found in their vehicle.
The bail hearing for the two individuals has been scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Allegany District Court.
The Zizians have been linked to the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Maland near the Canadian border in January, as well as five other homicides in Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California.
On January 20, a tragic incident occurred in Coventry, Vermont, resulting in the loss of a life. Mark Maland, a 44-year-old individual, was fatally shot during a shootout that took place after a routine traffic stop. Coventry, a quaint town located approximately 20 miles away from the Canadian border, was the unfortunate setting for this devastating event.
Officials have not provided many details about the nationwide investigation, which began after the tragic killing of Maland on January 20th. However, a comprehensive understanding of the situation can be gained through interviews conducted by the Associated Press, as well as a careful examination of court records and online posts. This reveals a narrative of a group of young and exceptionally bright computer scientists, mostly in their 20s and 30s, who connected online, shared anarchist ideologies, and gradually escalated towards violence.
Online writings cover a wide range of topics, including radical veganism, gender identity, and artificial intelligence. However, their goals remain unclear.
In the midst of everything, there stands a figure known as “Ziz,” who seems to hold the position of leadership among the peculiar individuals referring to themselves as “Zizians.” She has been observed in close proximity to numerous crime scenes and is believed to have ties to several suspects.
In her blog, LaSota, who went by the name Ziz, shared a dark and occasionally violent perspective. One intriguing theory she presented was that the two hemispheres of the brain could possess distinct values and genders, and often had a desire to harm one another.
LaSota, who preferred she/her pronouns, and openly identified as a transgender woman in her writings, passionately criticized various adversaries. Among these were rationalist groups, primarily active in online spaces, dedicated to comprehending human cognition through reason and knowledge. Notably, these groups also expressed concerns regarding the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence.
LaSota, 34, has not replied to several emails from the Associated Press in recent weeks. When asked about her connection to the deaths, her attorney Daniel McGarrigle chose not to comment. Additionally, she failed to appear in court in two states prior to her arrest over the weekend. Consequently, bench warrants have been issued for her arrest.
When contacted on Monday, McGarrigle confirmed that he has been representing LaSota but declined to comment on her arrest or provide any information regarding the latest case.