Two teenagers accused of fatally stabbing 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa in a brutal attack on a London bus “must have known” their victim was aboard, a court has been told.
Kelyan, an aspiring rapper, was targeted on the back seat of the route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street just before 2:30 p.m. on January 7. He was stabbed around 27 times with machetes, suffering a severed femoral artery and succumbing to his injuries shortly after paramedics arrived.
The older defendant, 16, appeared in person in Court One of the Old Bailey later in the day. He also confirmed his identity and was remanded into custody.
Family and Community Grief
Members of Kelyan’s family attended the brief hearings, visibly emotional as they heard the harrowing details of the attack.
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Kelyan’s death has left the Woolwich community in shock, with tributes pouring in for the teenager. Known for his passion for music, Kelyan had aspirations of becoming a rapper. Friends and family have described him as “kind-hearted” and “full of potential.”
Legal Proceedings Continue
As the legal process unfolds, the case has drawn attention to the rising issue of knife crime among young people in London. The trial, scheduled for October, is expected to provide further insight into the events leading up to the fatal attack and the motives of the accused.
Police have urged anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward as investigations continue.
