The 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich earlier this week had been due to appear in court over an offensive weapon charge, it has been revealed.
Court Appearance Over Machete Charge
Kelyan Bokassa, who was fatally stabbed on the 472 bus on Tuesday, 7 January, was scheduled to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for a weapons possession charge.
Court documents state that the teenager was accused of carrying a machete at Ravensbourne College on 3 May 2024.
Bokassa had also previously been convicted of stealing coats from John Lewis in Westfield, for which he was given a youth referral order.
Mother Claims Her Son Was Groomed by Gangs
Speaking after her son’s death, Kelyan’s mother, Mary Bokassa, said she was heartbroken but not surprised, claiming that he had been groomed by gangs from the age of six.
“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‘,” she told reporters.
Aspiring Drill Rapper Known as ‘Grippa’
Bokassa had been an aspiring drill rapper, known by his street name “Grippa”.
His latest song, “Bangers N Mash”, was released on Christmas Day on YouTube.
No Known Links to Other Recent Woolwich Stabbings
The fatal attack has drawn comparisons to another teenage murder in Woolwich, when 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell was stabbed to death on Eglinton Road on 22 September 2024.
However, Metropolitan Police have stated that no links have been established between the two killings, and that the investigation is still in its early stages.
There was also a non-fatal stabbing in Woolwich just a day before Bokassa’s murder, when an 18-year-old was stabbed on Prince Imperial Road at around 4:20 PM on Monday, 6 January. That incident is not believed to be connected to Kelyan’s death.
Investigation Ongoing
Police continue to hunt for the suspect responsible for Kelyan Bokassa’s murder, and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage is asked to:
- Call 101, quoting incident ref 3795/07JAN25
- Message @MetCC on X (formerly Twitter)
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111
Authorities remain committed to tackling youth violence, as communities in Woolwich and beyond mourn another tragic loss of young life.
