The mum of 14-year-old knife victim Kelyan Bokassa today visited the spot where he died and demanded: “This has to stop”.
Heartbroken Mary Bokassa wept as she looked at flowers and written tributes left for her son at the bus stop in Woolwich, South East London. Medics had desperately attempted to save him there just 48 hours earlier after he was stabbed on a bus, but he tragically passed away shortly after they arrived.
As police carried on the hunt for Kelyan’s killers, Mary, 50, told the Mirror: “It’s really hard, but I wanted to come here. It’s nice that so many people are saying positive things about my son. These black people who die on the streets, it’s not fair, this has to stop.”
Woolwich stabbing: Mum of Kelyan Bokassa, 14, fights back tears paying heartbreaking tribute
Mary Bokassa has gone to see the tributes to her son
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Mary added: “It makes me think about what’s going on in the world. And this is where he became an inspiring rapper because he had no other options. He was not given any other opportunities. He was using rap to express his anger. He was using this to cope with his anger. I understand he was angry because of what he went through. The care system just completely broke him.
“He was taken to care and when he came back from care, all his passion, what he loved the most, had been removed from him, from his identity. He was a child who was literally lost.” Mary, originally from Central African Republic, proudly looked at notes left in honour of her son, including one addressed to her.
It said: “To a mother from a mother, I am so saddened by the death of your son. Words cannot do justice for the pain you must be feeling. He was taken from the world so cruelly and way too soon. I met your son on a couple of occasions and he left a lasting impression as he was respectful with beautiful manners.
Kelyan Bokassa with his mum Mary
Kelyan Bokassa was stabbed to death
“He got extra pizza than everyone else because he was so helpful and pleasant. It was a pleasure meeting your young man. Natalie (Shyla and Renee’s mum).” Another read: “Shine bright young man, forever remember your good manners. You were a talented young man and never reached your potential. May you rest in peace. Renee and mum.”
A third, which included a love heart drawn on the note, said, “#Long line grippa. Continue to shine up there. Forever be in our hearts #LLK.” Mary spoke a day after giving an interview to the Mirror at her home claiming Kelyan’s life was destroyed by gangs, who callously groomed him.
The 14-year-old was stabbed to death in a bus in London on Tuesday
Kelyan’s mum said he was ‘very kind and caring’
He had just enjoyed his first day back at Newhaven School in Eltham, a referral unit, after the Christmas break on Tuesday afternoon and was on his way to see social workers on a no.472 double-decker. But he was stabbed to death on the bus shortly before 2.30pm in what is feared to be a gangland killing, amid claims he was deliberately targeted in a tit-for-tat war.
The youngster, an aspiring drill rapper who used the stage name Grippa, posted a haunting message on Instagram, asking if any of his followers had a “mindy” – street slang term for knife – just an hour before he died. Kelyan’s death came just three months after his 15-year-old pal Daejaun Campbell was killed with a blade nearby.
A person lighting a candle during a vigil at St Mary Magdalene church in Woolwich
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Kelyan grew up without his father and was taken into care four years ago. He ran away back to London twice. Documents show he was due in court last November on charges of possessing a machete in a public place on May 3 and he was also due to appear before Bromley magistrates today.
Kelyan, who had previously been convicted of possessing a Stanley knife at a bike shed, also faced charges of stealing from a shop and failing to surrender to court bail. There are fears he may have become involved in county lines drugs running operations.
Police have so far made no arrests and are appealing for information. Witnesses have claimed to have seen two boys – including one wielding a “massive machete” – fleeing the scene.
A forensic officer examining the crime scene
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Vince Seesarun, 31, a manager at a nearby estate agent, says he saw CCTV footage of two young men who he claimed “couldn’t even be 18” running away shortly after Kelyan was knifed.
He said: “The footage basically shows two boys frantically running, no [face] coverings, massive machete about the size of my forearm.” Mr Seesarun added that the youths ran past one of the nearby block of flats and towards the Thames Path, beside the river, before hurrying out of view towards the Thames.
When they re-appeared in footage from a second camera, they no longer had the weapon, he claimed. He added: “They were just calmly walking – that was the craziest part. I’m sure people could recognise them because of their lack of disguise.”