By VDC staff

Federal investigators are examining whether a weekend border shootout in Pittsburg is connected to the so-called “Zizians,” a group tied to homicide cases in several states, including Vermont, WPTZ News 5 reports.

Blu Zeke Daly, 26, also known as Cullan Zeke Daly, is charged with attempted murder of a federal officer. Prosecutors say a U.S. Border Patrol agent encountered Daly late Saturday night near the Canadian border and followed him to the closed Pittsburg Port of Entry. When the agent activated emergency lights and stepped out of his vehicle, Daly allegedly fired a handgun. The agent returned fire, seriously wounding Daly. The agent was not hurt.

Pittsburg, NH is a 15 minute drive from Canaan, in the northeastern corner of Vermont, according to MapQuest. 

U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan said authorities are reviewing Daly’s possible ideology and any links to the Zizians, two of whose alleged members face charges in a fatal Vermont highway shooting last year.

“When you have something happen which targets a Border Patrol agent in that area, it would be a reasonable line of investigative inquiry to determine whether there is any connection to a broader network or group,” Creegan said.

No connection has been confirmed, and the investigation remains active.