FRIENDS MOURN
Devastated pals pay tribute to ‘pure-hearted & fun’ Arsenal fan, 14, at vigil for schoolboy knifed to death on a bus
Watch our interview with Kelyan's mum in the player
DEVASTATED pals have paid tribute during a vigil to a "pure-hearted and fun" schoolboy knifed to death on a bus in east London.
Arsenal fan Kelyan Bokassa, 14, was attacked in Woolwich on Tuesday afternoon.
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The horror unfolded on a Route 472 bus in Woolwich Church Road, near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road, at around 2.30pm.
On Wednesday evening, around 40 mourners - including friends of the victim - gathered at a vigil held at St Mary Magdalene Church, which overlooks the bus stop where Kelyan died.
Mourners carried bunches of flowers and wiped away tears as moments of silence were held between readings and music.
During the service, one of Kelyan's friends paid tribute to him, saying he would "always be there for you".
The teenage boy said: ";He was a fun guy. He had a pure heart. He would always be there for you."
He then joked about Kelyan eating "bare food".
Prayers and Bible readings on the importance of children, protecting young people and reducing violence were led by Reverend Jesse van der Valk and Bishop of Woolwich Alastair Cutting.
The 14-year-old's killing sparked a flurry of online commentary, including references to another teenager who met a violent death in the same area of London almost four months ago.
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Daejaun Campbell, 15, was stabbed to death in Eglinton Road, Woolwich, on September 22 last year, less than a mile-and-a-half away from where Kelyan was killed.
The Metropolitan Police said that no links have been established between the two and the investigation is at an early stage.
Schoolboy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in broad-daylight horror as manhunt launched for killer
There was also a non-fatal stabbing at around 4.20pm on Monday in Prince Imperial Road, Woolwich, which led to an 18-year-old man being admitted to hospital. It is not thought to be linked to Tuesday's murder.
Keen footballer Kelyan died at the scene following the attack, with cops still hunting his killer.
His mum described her teenage son as "caring" in a poignant tribute.
She said Kelyan lived on the streets in London for a year where he was groomed by gangs and "exposed to drugs" before his death.
Fighting back tears, Mary Bokassa, 50, told The Sun: “He was very caring. He cares about people and had a good sense of humour.
“He was very polite. He was interested in football and was a supporter of Arsenal.
“We had to move around and he was in care, he was there for four years with no progress. I begged for contact with my son.
“I had to get the support of a lawyer. He was missing for a year and was living on the street.
“He finally turned up at my doorstep, he was sick, underweight and tattooed."
The mum said her young son was "taken advantage of" by local gangs.
She added: “He was exposed to drugs. He probably experienced something because I could sense it.
“He was not himself. If I questioned him he wouldn’t tell me anything about his friends.
“My son and others were taken advantage by gangs. They were groomed."
Mary continued: "He lived in the streets for a year after he ran away from the children’s home.
“But when he came home he wrote graffiti on the balcony to say he loved me."
Speaking to , Mary said she and Kelyan had just spent Christmas together.
She added that she asked for help and tried to prevent him from associating with gangs but did not receive support from the authorities, and her son "still had one foot on the streets".
As a result, she said she was traumatised and shocked by his death, but not surprised.
"I feel hurt because I tried to prevent it. I've tried so many, so many times. I screamed it, I said 'my son is going to be killed'."
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According to court documents, Kelyan was due in court next week facing a charge of carrying a machete, reports the BBC.
Kelyan is said to have been on his way to Woolwich Town Hall to see his social worker on what was his first day back at school when he was stabbed to death.
It comes as dozens of tributes have been made for the teen online, with the hashtag Long Live Kelyan (LLK) seen across TikTok and Instagram.
Kelyan attended St Columba’s Catholic Boys' School in Bexleyheath, south-east London, which was opened by former Conservative Tory prime minister Ted Heath in 1973.
No arrests have yet been made in connection with his death, with an urgent police manhunt ongoing.
Pals of the boy have said he was "taken too soon" and described him as a keen footballer.
One pal said: “Kelyan was a good friend. He was liked by lots of people and was devoted to doing his music thing.
“He didn’t deserve to die.”
Another said: “I knew him he was a nice guy, very energetic, a decent guy, he will be missed.”
Paramedics treated a 14-year-old boy at the scene who had received stab wound injuries, but he sadly died soon after.
Detective Chief Inspector Martin Thorpe, who is leading the investigation, said: “Following Kelyan’s tragic death yesterday, specialist officers are now leading the investigation which is progressing at pace."
He added: "If anyone saw this horrific attack or was in the area then I urge them to come forward and speak to officers.
"We’re particularly interested in any mobile phone footage that captured this incident or any dash cam or doorbell footage from around the surrounding area at the time of this incident.
"I know this is an incredibly worrying time for those in Woolwich, and there will continue to be an enhanced police presence in the area.
"Our thoughts remains with Kelyan’s family, who are being supported by specialist officers at this difficult time."
Some 10 teenagers were killed in London last year, nine of whom were the victims of stabbing while one died in a shooting, according to data compiled by the PA news agency.
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This was down sharply from 21 teenage deaths in the capital in 2023.
The youngest victim in 2024 was 14.
Anyone with information can call police on 101 giving the reference 3795/07JAN25 or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
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