The mom of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to loss of life on a bus in southeast London has stated she is just not stunned he was killed.
Aspiring rapper Kelyan Bokassa was stabbed to loss of life on a bus in Woolwich Church Avenue, near the Woolwich Ferry, simply earlier than 2.30pm on Tuesday.
His mom Mary Bokassa stated he had been groomed by gangs from the age of six.
She instructed the BBC her boy was “caring” however had skilled some “extraordinarily difficult occasions” and had been taken into take care of a number of years.
Ms Bokassa stated he was “underweight, very hungry, tattooed and uncovered to medicine”.
However she added they’d spent Christmas collectively and he had returned to highschool.
She stated she had requested for assist and tried to cease him from associating with gangs however didn’t obtain help from the authorities, so he “nonetheless had one foot on the streets”.
Ms Bokassa instructed the broadcaster she was traumatised and shocked by her son’s loss of life, however not stunned: “I really feel harm as a result of I attempted to stop it. I’ve tried so many, so many occasions. I screamed it, I stated ‘my son goes to be killed’.”
A vigil was held for Kelyan Bokassa within the church close to the place he was killed. Pic: PA
Round 40 mourners gathered at a vigil on Wednesday night at St Mary Magdalene Church, which overlooks the bus cease the place Kelyan died.
One in all Kelyan’s mates paid tribute to him in the course of the service, saying he would “all the time be there for you”.
“He was a enjoyable man. He had a pure coronary heart. He would all the time be there for you,” the teenage boy stated.
He joked about Kelyan consuming “naked meals”.
Learn extra:
‘Really apocalyptic scenes’ as flames swallow properties in LA wildfires
Climate warnings with temperatures as little as -16C anticipated
Liam Payne’s reason for loss of life confirmed
Anti-knife campaigner Faron Paul. Pic: PA
Anti-knife campaigner Faron Paul referred to as for extra help and alternatives for these affected by violence.
Talking of Kelyan’s family members, Mr Paul stated: “If there’s anyone in right here from the native authorities, if there’s anyone right here from the council, from the federal government, actually do try to just remember to take the time and provides them long-term help.
He added: “These guys are actually younger and it is inflicting extra long-term results with different folks getting concerned attempting to get revenge.”
He stated youth violence was a “vicious circle”.
Teen killed on bus was ‘sensible’
On Wednesday a person who was meant to movie a music video with Kelyan later this month instructed Sky Information he was “similar to a cool child”.
Roy, founding father of Outchea TV, stated: “He appeared… wiser for his age, and I simply acquired chatting with him about his music profession, he stated he is simply began and wished to hold on doing music.
“The worst factor is that he was telling me about his buddy that handed away not way back.”
Police have urged anybody with details about the stabbing to come back ahead.
Ten youngsters had been killed in London final 12 months, based on the PA information company. 9 of these had been stabbed whereas one was shot.
The determine was a fall from 21 teenage deaths within the capital in 2023.
