Two Florida teenagers accused of planning to kill a classmate in what prosecutors described as a disturbing “blood ritual” plot will remain behind bars without bond after chilling footage from a patrol car surfaced in court.
Isabelle Valdez, 15, and Lois Lippert, 14, both students at Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, were arrested in late January after police received an anonymous tip about the alleged murder plan.
Authorities say the tip was submitted through the FortifyFL safety app on Jan. 22. The person reporting the tip claimed Valdez had discussed plans to kill “someone we know from school” the following day.
Police began investigating immediately.
According to the police report, officers searched Valdez’s backpack on Jan. 23 and discovered a knife. Investigators say Valdez admitted she planned to use the weapon to cut the victim’s throat or stab him in the stomach inside a school bathroom.
Prosecutors say the motive behind the alleged plan was especially disturbing.
In court filings, prosecutors said Valdez believed the victim reminded her of Adam Lanza, the gunman responsible for the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. She allegedly believed that killing the victim would create a “blood bond” with Lanza that would somehow resurrect him.
Authorities said Valdez also allegedly planned to leave flowers at the crime scene and smoke a cigarette afterward.
Investigators say Lippert helped support the plan by providing supplies including gloves, chocolate, flowers and cigarettes. Prosecutors say she also helped sharpen the knife in a school bathroom and created graphic drawings of the intended victim.
Both teens were arrested before the alleged attack could take place and are now facing serious charges, including attempted premeditated murder and attempted felony murder. Prosecutors have charged both girls as adults.
During a recent bond hearing, prosecutors played patrol car footage taken after the teens were arrested. Officials said the video showed the girls laughing and talking about the alleged plot while riding in the back of a police vehicle.
At one point in the video, the girls complained about the anonymous tipster who reported them.
They also reportedly discussed sharpening the knife, talked about school shooters, and even joked about their booking photos.
“Dude, I was going to do my makeup this morning for the mug shot, but I couldn’t find anything,” Valdez said in the video.
At another moment, Lippert can be heard saying, “This is such a bonding experience. I love this.”
Valdez also reportedly said she didn’t feel guilty about what had happened.
“I don’t feel guilty for my actions,” she said. “I do feel bad for my mama. That’s the only person I feel bad for.”
Prosecutors argued that the footage demonstrated the teens still posed a serious danger.
They also pointed to conversations in the video where the girls allegedly referenced other notorious school shooters, including those responsible for the Columbine High School massacre.
After reviewing the evidence, the judge agreed with prosecutors and ordered both teens to remain in custody without bond while the case moves forward.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors said charging the teens as adults allows the justice system more options for long-term incarceration than the juvenile system would provide.
Following the arrests, officials praised the anonymous tipster who alerted authorities.
Seminole County Public Schools also issued a statement thanking the individual whose report helped stop the alleged plot.
“We are deeply grateful to the individual whose courageous tip allowed law enforcement to take swift action,” the district said. “The situation was resolved safely thanks to the collaboration between our school and law enforcement partners.”
So glad that I do not have grandkids