Latest news with #Maland
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Yahoo
Trans vegan cult member linked to Vermont border agent killing was person of interest in parents' murders
A member of a transgender, vegan cult linked to the killing of a Vermont border agent was also a person of interest in the murder of their parents. During a wellness check on Jan. 3, 2023, the bodies of 72-year-old Richard and 69-year-old Rita Zajko were found dead at their home in Chester Heights Borough, Pennsylvania. The Delaware County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the deaths, which occurred on Dec. 31, 2022, as homicides. More than a year later, the incident remains an "active investigation" by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). According to the PSP, the couple were found with a firearm inside their home. The firearm "has been linked" to a person of interest in the January 2025 shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland. Transgender Cult Leader Linked To Border Agent Killing Maintains Innocence, Asks For Vegan Food In Jail Michelle Zajko, the daughter of Richard and Rita, was linked to the firearms found in Teresa Youngblut and Felix "Ophelia" Bauckholt's vehicle during Maland's shooting. Read On The Fox News App SIGN UP TO GET True Crime Newsletter "An investigation into the border agent shooting revealed that the weapon used in the killing of the Customs and Border Patrol agent was purchased by a person of interest in the murders of Rita and Richard Zajko," a spokesperson with the PSP confirmed to Fox News Digital. Transgender Vegan 'Cult' Members Arrested On Jan. 20, 2025, Maland was killed during a routine traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, about 20 miles south of the Canadian border. Youngblut and Bauckholt were in the stopped car, opening fire on the border agent, authorities said. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub Bauckholt was killed in the gunfire, along with the 44-year-old border agent. Youngblut was taken into custody and faced weapons charges. Zizian Leader Jack Lasota: Who Is Transgender, Vegan Cult Head Linked To Border Agent Killing? Maland's killing put a spotlight on the "Zizians," a group that reportedly includes Youngblut, Bauckholt and Zajko and has been connected to at least six homicides. The group's goal is unclear, but online writings from members span topics from "radical veganism" to transgenderism and artificial intelligence. Jack Lasota, 34, reportedly the group's leader, and Zajko were recently taken into custody in Maryland. They face multiple charges, including trespassing, obstructing and hindering and possession of a handgun in the vehicle. Follow The Fox True Crime Team On X Attorney Daniel McGarrigle, who is representing Lasota, referred Fox News Digital to a release by the firm. The release highlighted that Lasota is "presumed innocent unless and until the government meets its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."Original article source: Trans vegan cult member linked to Vermont border agent killing was person of interest in parents' murders
Fox News
04-03-2025
- Fox News
Trans vegan cult member linked to Vermont border agent killing was person of interest in parents' murders
A member of a transgender, vegan cult linked to the killing of a Vermont border agent was also a person of interest in the murder of their parents. During a wellness check on Jan. 3, 2023, the bodies of 72-year-old Richard and 69-year-old Rita Zajko were found dead at their home in Chester Heights Borough, Pennsylvania. The Delaware County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the deaths, which occurred on Dec. 31, 2022, as homicides. More than a year later, the incident remains an "active investigation" by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). According to the PSP, the couple were found with a firearm inside their home. The firearm "has been linked" to a person of interest in the January 2025 shooting of U.S. Border Patrol Agent David Christopher Maland. Michelle Zajko, the daughter of Richard and Rita, was linked to the firearms found in Teresa Youngblut and Felix "Ophelia" Bauckholt's vehicle during Maland's shooting. SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER "An investigation into the border agent shooting revealed that the weapon used in the killing of the Customs and Border Patrol agent was purchased by a person of interest in the murders of Rita and Richard Zajko," a spokesperson with the PSP confirmed to Fox News Digital. On Jan. 20, 2025, Maland was killed during a routine traffic stop in Coventry, Vermont, about 20 miles south of the Canadian border. Youngblut and Bauckholt were in the stopped car, opening fire on the border agent, authorities said. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Bauckholt was killed in the gunfire, along with the 44-year-old border agent. Youngblut was taken into custody and faced weapons charges. Maland's killing put a spotlight on the "Zizians," a group that reportedly includes Youngblut, Bauckholt and Zajko and has been connected to at least six homicides. The group's goal is unclear, but online writings from members span topics from "radical veganism" to transgenderism and artificial intelligence. Jack Lasota, 34, reportedly the group's leader, and Zajko were recently taken into custody in Maryland. They face multiple charges, including trespassing, obstructing and hindering and possession of a handgun in the vehicle. Attorney Daniel McGarrigle, who is representing Lasota, referred Fox News Digital to a release by the firm. The release highlighted that Lasota is "presumed innocent unless and until the government meets its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect rams Border Patrol agent's vehicle in Vermont, one month after agent shot and killed
A suspect has been charged with ramming the vehicle of a Border Patrol agent in Vermont, about one month after U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland was killed in Vermont during a traffic stop near the Canadian border. The latest incident happened on Saturday to another agent working in the Swanton Sector, the same sector Maland had worked in, Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks said in a social media post on Tuesday. No injuries were reported. Maland, whose killing has been tied to a cultlike group, was buried on Saturday with full military honors at a national cemetery in Minnesota, The Associated Press reported. He was shot and killed on Interstate 91 on Jan. 20. 'On 2/22, in the Swanton Sector, a suspect rammed a Border Patrol agent's vehicle while attempting to flee,' Banks said. 'Fortunately, no injuries were reported.' 'Assaults on our agents will not be tolerated-offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent,' Banks said. He did not name the person charged in connection with Saturday's assault. 'The individual has been charged with assaulting a federal officer (18 USC 111). Every violation of U.S. law will be prosecuted!' Banks said. Maland, 44, was fatally shot after a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, about 20 miles from Canada, around 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 20, according to Vermont State Police. The driver of the stopped car is accused of opening fire on Maland and other agents, sparking a shootout that left her companion dead, The Associated Press reported. Both belonged to a group called the Zizians that may be linked to six deaths in three states, investigators said. 'He was a devoted agent who served with honor and bravery,' Maland's family said in a statement provided to The Associated Press after he died. 'He had a tremendous respect and pride for the work he did; he truly embodied service over self.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
23-02-2025
- CBS News
Border patrol agent laid to rest at Fort Snelling
A crowd of more than 200 uniformed officers from around the country joined David "Chris" Maland's family and friends Saturday, as the U.S. Border Patrol agent was laid to rest at Minnesota's Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Maland was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 20, after a routine traffic stop nearly 20 miles south of the Canadian border in Vermont. A person in the car Maland stopped opened fire, killing him. Another person in the car was killed when Maland returned fire. Maland was the first U.S. Border Patrol Agent killed in the line of duty in over a decade. Born in Blue Earth, Maland graduated Fairmont High School in 1999, before enlisting in the United States Airforce. There, he'd spend six years before joining the state department, where he worked in security at both the White House and Pentagon – where he was during the 9/11 attacks. Maland's time with the U.S. Border Patrol began in 2017 — his skills as a K-9 handler took him across the country. Flags statewide flew half-mast Saturday — per the direction of Governor Tim Walz. "Minnesota recognizes Maland's dedicated service and sacrifice, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," Walz wrote in a statement. An avid camper, hiker and rock climber, Maland buried with full military honors, receiving the Airforce Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Yahoo
MN funeral for slain Border Patrol Agent David Maland held at Fort Snelling
The Brief The funeral for Border Patrol Agent David Maland is happening today. Maland, a Minnesota native, was killed during a shootout in Vermont last month. He is being buried at Fort Snelling with full military honors. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The service for slain Border Patrol Agent David Maland is happening today. Freinds and family held a service in Richfield before a funeral procession carried the remains to Fort Snelling National Cemetary. Raw footage of that procession can be viewed above. READ MORE: Cult-like group connected to murder of Minnesota-born border patrol agent Big picture view Border Patrol Agent David Maland will be buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors. A service for Maland was held on Saturday morning in Richfield. READ MORE: 2 arrested in killing of Border Patrol Agent David Maland from MN FOX 9 will have more on this story later in the day.
