Two Teenagers Arrested Following the Stabbing of Kelyan Bokassa in Woolwich

Two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the tragic stabbing of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa on a bus in Woolwich. A 44-year-old woman has also been taken into custody on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remain in custody as police continue their investigation into the incident, which occurred on the Route 472 double-decker bus on Woolwich Church Road near the A205 South Circular Road last Tuesday. Sadly, Kelyan succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee, who is leading the investigation, described the arrest of the two teenagers as a “significant step forward.” She urged anyone with further information to come forward, stating, “I hope these arrests reassure the Woolwich community that we are working tirelessly to tackle violent offenders across London.” She also expressed her gratitude to officers for their efforts and the local community for their support during the investigation.

Kelyan’s mother, Mary Bokassa, has shared her heartbreak, revealing that her son had been groomed by gangs from the age of six. Speaking from her Greenwich home, she described him as a “caring” boy with a love for music and football. “I feel hurt because I tried to prevent it,” she told the BBC. “I screamed it—I said, ‘my son is going to be killed.’” Ms Bokassa added that her son, an aspiring rapper and Arsenal supporter, had a great sense of humour and was deeply loved by his friends and family.

In the wake of the tragedy, members of the local community came together for a vigil at St Mary Magdalene Church in Woolwich. Around 35 mourners, including Kelyan’s friends and family, gathered to reflect and pay tribute to the teenager. Reverend Jesse van der Valk led the service, describing it as “a time of reflection,” as attendees held a moment of silence to honour Kelyan’s memory.

The tragic death of Kelyan highlights the growing issue of youth violence in London. Last year, 10 teenagers were killed in the capital, nine of whom were victims of stabbings. In the Greenwich borough alone, there have been 144 reported stabbings in the past 12 months, marking a 5.6% increase, alongside five shootings since December 2023.

In a separate incident in Woolwich last Monday, an 18-year-old student was stabbed outside Shooters Hill College, leading to the arrest of a teenager charged with attempted murder. These cases show the urgent need to address the root causes of youth violence and improve safety in London communities.

As the investigation into Kelyan’s death continues, anyone with information is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police by calling 101 and quoting reference 3795/07JAN25. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously at 0800 555 111 or online.

For more information on efforts to tackle knife crime in London, visit the Metropolitan Police’s Stop Knife Crime web page.

For ongoing updates on this story and broader efforts to address youth violence in London, visit EyeOnLondon for trusted news and insights.

Follow us on:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!