In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the city, a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on a London bus on Tuesday afternoon. The victim, identified by his mother as Kelyan Bokassa, was an aspiring rapper who performed under the name Grippa. Tragically, Kelyan had recently laid flowers to pay tribute to another teen, 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell, who was stabbed to death just months ago.
The senseless act of violence occurred around 2:30 pm as Kelyan was traveling on the 472 bus to Abbey Wood. Despite the efforts of paramedics who treated him at the scene, the young boy succumbed to his injuries shortly after they arrived. The crime has left the community reeling and searching for answers.
A Life Cut Short
Kelyan’s mother, Mary Bokassa, described her son as “caring, very caring” and shared his many talents and passions. She told the BBC:
“He loved to have his friends around and when they were round he would want to cook for them. He was good in music. Anything he loves… he was doing to his best ability. He was good at football… and he was extremely good at drawing.”
– Mary Bokassa
Bokassa revealed the heartbreaking reality that her son had been “groomed” by gangs and had previously been taken into care. Despite her pleas for help and efforts to keep Kelyan away from the influence of gangs, tragedy still found him.
A School Mourns
Kelyan was a former pupil at St Columba’s Catholic boys school in Bexleyheath. The school expressed their sorrow in a statement:
“We are saddened by the loss of life in Woolwich yesterday of a young boy who was briefly a pupil of St Columba’s in 2022. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
– St Columba’s Catholic Boys School
The school pledged to provide support to any students affected by the senseless violence that claimed one of their own.
An Aspiring Artist
Kelyan, known as Grippa in the music scene, had already begun to make a name for himself as a rapper. He had recorded several tracks that were posted online, including one titled “Gotta Eat” which featured tributes to his friend Daejaun Campbell after his tragic death. The poignant connection between the two boys, both victims of knife crime, highlights the devastating impact of violence on London’s youth.
The Investigation
As the community grapples with the tragedy, the police are working to identify and apprehend those responsible for Kelyan’s death. Ch Supt Louise Sargent stated:
“Our thoughts, at the time, are with the victim’s family and friends. It’s a horrendous crime and I can’t imagine what they must be going through right now. No arrests have been made at this early stage, but we are working at pace to identify and arrest those involved.”
– Ch Supt Louise Sargent
Witnesses reported seeing young individuals fleeing the scene, one allegedly brandishing a large machete. The senseless violence has left many questioning how such young lives could be caught up in this deadly cycle.
A Call for Change
Kelyan Bokassa’s tragic death is yet another sobering reminder of the knife crime epidemic plaguing London’s youth. It is a clarion call for urgent action to address the root causes of violence and provide support and alternatives for vulnerable young people.
We must come together as a society to ensure that no more young lives are cut short by senseless acts of aggression. It is time to invest in early intervention, mentorship, and community programs that offer hope and opportunity to those who need it most. Only by tackling this issue head-on can we prevent more families from experiencing the unimaginable pain of losing a child to violence.
As the city mourns the loss of Kelyan Bokassa, let his memory be a catalyst for change. Let us honor his life by working tirelessly to create a safer, more compassionate London for all our children. The time for action is now, before another young dream is extinguished forever.
