Bus Hijacking That Turned Into a Cult Drama

Location & Date
Jasper, Arkansas – July 1982

Key Players

• Keith & Mary Hagler (Haiglers) – Hosts and perpetrators.
• Foundation of Ubiquity (FOU) – Religious movement led by Emory Lamb Sr.

The Incident

• Hostage Situation: 17 passengers were held aboard a bus.
• Weapons & Props: Guns and a bag that looked like it contained dynamite; investigators later found the sticks were merely painted red.
• Motivation: The Haiglers aimed to spotlight their faith, believing that a dramatic end would resurrect them briefly.
• Resolution: Snipers opened fire; Mary Hagler finished the job, ending the hostage crisis.
• Outcome: All passengers escaped unharmed.

Background on FOU

• Founder: Emory Lamb Sr., who claimed a vision prompted the organization’s creation.
• Propaganda: Lamb ran a shop, spray‑painting signs that read “FOU Was Here.”
• Recruitment: Keith Hagler discovered the shop, read FOU pamphlets, and brought his wife; they were the sole non‑family followers.

Media Coverage

• Tone: Predominantly critical, focusing on violence rather than religious motives.
• Impact: The Haiglers’ attempt to use extreme actions for faith promotion backfired, cementing the event as a notorious episode in fringe group history.