A series of violent confrontations across the United States believed to be linked to members of a fringe group known as the Zizians has left at least six people dead, including a Border Patrol agent shot in Vermont, a man stabbed in California and a couple shot in a double homicide in Pennsylvania.
Seven people are currently in custody in connection with the sprawling web of crimes, which came further into view this week after three people were arrested on trespassing charges in Maryland.
Law enforcement and news media reports have connected these individuals to the “Zizians,” a name for the followers of a person known as “Ziz,” who blogged about self-improvement, ethics and artificial intelligence. The group’s goals aren't completely clear but online writings about their beliefs touch upon veganism, artificial intelligence and gender identity.
The latest arrests in Maryland have brought renewed attention to the rash of cases across state lines, and prosecutors have said that they have the group’s leader in custody on trespassing and weapon charges. Legal representatives listed in court records for some of the defendants could not be immediately reached or had no comment.
Here’s what we know.
Three are held on trespassing charges in Maryland.
On Feb. 16, law enforcement authorities in Allegany County, Md., arrested Jack LaSota, 34, Michelle Zajko, 32, and Daniel Blank, 26, for an incident in Frostburg, Md., a small city about 130 miles west of Baltimore. LaSota and Zajko were accused of trespassing, obstruction, and possessing a handgun. Blank did not face the weapon charge, but was arraigned on the other charges, while Zajko was also charged with resisting arrest.
They were located after a resident reported three “suspicious” people on his property who had requested to camp there for a month, according to CNN. When police arrived, two of the suspects were sitting in a box truck wearing gun belts with ammunition, The Associated Press and ABC 6 in Philadelphia reported. A search of the truck discovered a long rifle in the back and a handgun on the floorboard.