A 19-year-old who admitted murdering his mother and two siblings in Luton last year was plotting a school shooting, it can now be reported.
The bodies of Juliana Falcon, 48, Giselle Prosper, 13, and Kyle Prosper, 16, were found at a flat in Leabank, off Wauluds Bank Drive, on 13 September 2024.
After the murders, Nicholas Prosper was stopped by officers from Bedfordshire Police in nearby Bramingham Road, and a loaded shotgun was found hidden in bushes nearby, along with more than 30 cartridges.
They later discovered that he had been plotting to attack a local school.
Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a truly tragic and shocking case in which three innocent members of the same family have been brutally killed by their son and brother.
“No words can fully describe the tragedy their loved ones have experienced, and our thoughts continue to be with them at this difficult time.
“We are pleased that Prosper has pleaded guilty and will not put his family through the pain of a trial, and that he will soon face a significant jail sentence.
“What was subsequently uncovered during our investigation left no doubt as to his intentions to carry out an attack at a school, but fortunately Prosper was apprehended before he could cause any further harm.”
Speaking outside court, he said discovering that Prosper had planned to attack a school “left our whole investigation team in shock and disbelief”.
“In all my years working on murder investigations, I have never known a case quite like this.
“Not only were three innocent lives taken in such brutal circumstances, but we then learnt of Prosper’s plans to carry out a shooting at a school, something which left our whole investigation team in shock and disbelief.
“We cannot ever begin to comprehend why someone would plan to kill innocent children and are so grateful to those arresting officers who helped prevent this from taking place.”
Prosper, who appeared in court on Monday wearing a black T-shirt and dark trousers, also admitted a number of other offences, including purchasing a shotgun without a certificate, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and possession of a kitchen knife in a public place.
Judge Michael Simon told the defendant his sentencing would take place on 5 March and remanded him into custody.
In a statement shared at the time of the deaths, loved ones paid tribute to the mother and two teenagers, who were discovered by police at 5.30am.
The family said: “Julie was a strong, loving mother to her four beautiful children, who were her absolute world. In her spare time, she was a keen athlete and enjoyed raising money for charity – she was always putting others first.
“Kyle was a kind and funny young man who loved football and boxing. He was creative and thriving on TikTok, a big talent with massive potential. Kyle’s friends were his everything.
“Giselle was a beautiful soul and caring young girl; she liked to laugh lots and loved her family and big brothers. She was so loveable with an infectious smile. She was also an exceptional pupil at school and was loved dearly by her friends in year 9.”
Councillor Hazel Simmons, leader of Luton Council, said: “The revelation that the perpetrator had plans to cause further harm in one of our schools is extremely shocking, distressing and upsetting; and we don’t underestimate the emotional difficulty this news will have on children, staff, parents and carers across our school community.
“Our schools have robust systems in place to keep children safe and security is constantly reviewed and monitored.
“Just recently we asked our schools to further review security and for increased vigilance following the incident in a school in Sheffield.
“We will be asking schools to further review security measures in light of what came out in court today.”
Chris Derrick, a deputy chief crown prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The full extent of Prosper’s actions will be laid bare when he is sentenced, and he can expect to face a very long time behind bars.
“Today, our thoughts are of Juliana, Kyle and Giselle, whose lives were stolen in a cold-blooded attack.
“We hope today’s conviction offers some solace to those who loved and cared for them, as they mourn their loss.”
