A woman has been arrested on suspicion of purchasing the firearms used in a deadly Vermont shootout that resulted in the death of a US Border Patrol agent last month. Additionally, the leader of a “cultlike” group that is believed to be linked to the killing has also been taken into custody.
The woman, Michelle Zajko, aged 32, was under scrutiny in connection with the double homicide of her parents in Pennsylvania in 2023 and another murder in California, according to a report by CrimeOnline.
She was apprehended in Frostburg, Maryland over the weekend along with two other individuals; 34-year-old Jack Lasota, who is identified as the leader of a group referred to as the Zizians, and 26-year-old Daniel Blank, as per a report by WCAU.
Lasota has been charged with trespassing, obstructing and hindering, and firearm in vehicle. Zajko was also charged with trespassing and obstructing and hindering, along with resisting and firearm on person. Blank faces trespassing and obstructing and hindering charges.
Last week, Zajko was named in a multi-state bulletin that connected her to the murders of Richard and Rita Zajko in January 2023. Court documents filed in the shooting of Border Patrol Agent David “Chris” Maland say she may have supplied at least two weapons used in the January 20 shooting.
Court documents say that shooting came after federal law enforcement had been observing Teresa Youngblut and Felix Bauckholt, a German citizen, for a few days after hotel employee in Lyndonville reported seeing them wearing tactical clothing and protective gear while carrying weapons.
Border patrol agents initiated a traffic stop of a Toyota Prius — registered to Bauckholt — on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont.
“During the stop, Youngblut fired her handgun without warning toward at least one of the Border Patrol Agents while outside the vehicle, the US Attorney’s Office said after Youngblut’s arrest. “Her German companion also tried to draw a firearm, and at least one Border Patrol Agent fired his service weapon.”
Bauckholt, who was initially said to be in the United States on an expired visa but later determined to be in the country legally, was fatally shot.
Authorities later issued the bulletin about Zajko, connecting her to Maland’s shooting as well as the deaths of her parents.
According to The Associated Press, the Zizians — Zajko is allegedly a member — are connected with five other homicides in Vermont, Pennsylvania, and California, including Zajko’s parents, although officials have provided few details.
The AP’s review of online records shows the Zizians to be largely a group of young computer scientists who met online with anarchist beliefs and became increasingly violent.
