A cult expert sheds light on the "Zizian" group following its connection to the fatal shooting of a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Vermont. This fringe group, named after its 34-year-old founder, Jack Amadeus LaSota, also known as "Ziz," has gained national attention after the tragic incident on January 20th. LaSota, a transgender woman, reportedly established the group of vegan activists, which originated on the West Coast.
The connection between the "Zizians" and the Vermont shooting, where Border Patrol Agent David "Chris" Maland lost his life, was initially reported by the Post Millennial. Maland, a Minnesota native and Air Force veteran, served at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Newport Station. He dedicated nine years to the military and 15 years to federal service.
The shootout involved German national Felix "Ophelia" Bauckholt and University of Washington student Teresa "Milo" Consuelo Youngblut near the U.S.-Canada border. Court documents reveal that Bauckholt, the vehicle's registered owner, had an expired visa, and Youngblut was driving. According to the documents, Youngblut fired upon a Border Patrol agent without warning. Both Bauckholt and Maland were killed in the exchange of gunfire, while Youngblut was injured and subsequently charged.
Federal prosecutors have highlighted Youngblut's connections to individuals suspected of violent acts, emphasizing the need for caution. The firearms used in the shootout have been linked to a person of interest in a Pennsylvania double homicide, potentially connecting this incident to a wider web of violence associated with the "Zizians." The San Francisco Chronicle reports that authorities are investigating six deaths linked to LaSota's associates.
Dar Dixon, an actor and podcast host, offered his insights on cult behavior, suggesting the "Zizians" exhibit such characteristics. He points to factors like sexual identity, restrictive vegan diets, and potential sleep deprivation as methods of behavior and emotional control within the group. Dixon referenced Steven Hassan's BITE Model of Authoritarian Control to explain how cults manipulate members' thoughts, emotions, and behavior through reprimands and shunning for non-compliance.
