Police are worried about more serious violence after a 14-year-old boy was killed on a bus in south-east London. Kelyan Bokassa, who wanted to be a rapper, was stabbed on a route 472 bus in Woolwich Church Street just before 2:30 PM on Tuesday.
To prevent more violence, the police are using special powers to search people and remove disguises, like face masks. These new rules started on Thursday at 4 PM and will last for 24 hours, covering Woolwich and nearby areas like Plumstead. The police explained on social media that they are taking these steps because of fears about serious youth violence after Kelyan’s tragic death on January 7, 2025.
Kelyan’s mother, Mary Bokassa, expressed her grief, saying her son was taken advantage of by gangs after he ran away from care and lived on the streets. She mentioned, “My son and others were groomed by gangs.”
Kelyan’s death has stirred discussions online, especially because another teenager, Daejaun Campbell, was killed nearby last September. Daejaun, who was 15, was also stabbed to death on Eglinton Road, just a short distance from where Kelyan was attacked. The police say they have not found any connections between the two cases, and they are still investigating.
In another incident on the same day as Kelyan’s murder, an 18-year-old man was stabbed but survived and is in the hospital. This incident is not believed to be connected to Kelyan’s death.
Police are asking anyone with information to help them with their investigation. If you can help, please call the police at 101 and provide the reference 3795/07JAN25. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111 or online.
Last year, 10 teenagers lost their lives in London, with 9 of those deaths being from stabbings and one from shooting, according to reports by Niftystat.
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