A Border Patrol agent’s death in Vermont has been linked to a cult-like group known as the Zizian group. The latest violence associated with this group resulted in a shootout on January 20th that claimed the life of a Border Patrol officer. Let’s delve into the timeline of events that led up to this tragic incident, based on interviews conducted by the Associated Press and a thorough review of police reports, court records, and online posts.
### Origins of the Zizian Group
In 2016, Jack LaSota, a computer programmer and transgender woman residing in the San Francisco Bay area, began writing a blog under the alias “Ziz.” Her blog featured intricate and at times convoluted theories concerning technology, gender identity, and human cognition. LaSota became involved in the rationalist movement, a community focused on understanding human cognition and the potential threats posed by artificial intelligence.
### Escalation of Violence
By 2018, LaSota had participated in programs organized by rationalist groups but eventually parted ways with them due to their rejection of her belief that the two hemispheres of the brain could harbor distinct values and genders. The group’s discord escalated in November 2019 when LaSota, along with Emma Borhanian, Gwen Danielson, and Alexander Leatham, were arrested during a protest against sexual misconduct within rationalist organizations.
In August 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard received a report of LaSota falling overboard in San Francisco Bay, leading to an obituary being published despite no body being recovered. The situation took a tragic turn in November 2022 when Curtis Lind sought to evict LaSota and others from his property in California, resulting in a violent altercation that left Borhanian dead. Leatham and Suri Dao were charged with murder, with LaSota being present at the scene.
### Culmination of Violence
Fast forward to January 2025, Teresa Youngblut and Felix Bauckholt were involved in a fatal encounter with U.S. Border Patrol officers on Interstate 91 in Vermont. Agent David Maland and Bauckholt lost their lives in the ensuing shootout, while Youngblut sustained injuries and was charged with firearms offenses. The incident marked the tragic conclusion of a series of violent events linked to the Zizian group.
In February 2025, the FBI conducted searches at properties in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where Youngblut, Bauckholt, and LaSota had been residing. Additionally, LaSota, Michelle Zajko, and Daniel Blank were arrested in Maryland on charges including trespassing and possession of a handgun in a vehicle. These arrests shed light on the complexity and danger associated with the Zizian group and their activities.
The Zizian group’s violent trajectory underscores the intricate web of ideologies and actions that can lead to tragic outcomes. As law enforcement agencies continue their investigations, the impact of cult-like groups on society remains a pressing concern. The story of the Zizian group serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the destructive potential of radical beliefs and extremist behaviors.
