A MUM has revealed how her son was “groomed by gangs” before he was stabbed to death on a bus in a horror attack in broad daylight.
Keena footballer Kelyan Bokassa, 14, died at the scene in Woolwich, south-east London, shortly before 2.30pm on Tuesday.
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14-year-old boy killed in daylight attack
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Mary Bokassa, 50, described her son as “caring” Credit: Submitted
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Tributes flooded in after Kelyan’s death Credit: Instagram
His mother today described her teenage son as “caring” in a moving tribute.
She said Kelyan lived on the streets of London for a year where he was groomed by gangs and “exposed to drugs” before his death.
Fighting back tears, Mary Bokassa, 50, told The Sun: “He was very caring. He cared about people and had a good sense of humor.
“He was very polite. He was interested in football and supported Arsenal.
“We had to move, and he was in care, he was there for four years without progress. I begged for contact with my son.
“I had to get the support of a lawyer. He disappeared for a year and lived on the street.
“He finally showed up on my doorstep, sick, skinny and tattooed.
The mum said her young son was then “taken advantage of” by local gangs.
She added: “He was exposed to drugs. He probably experienced something because I could sense it.
“He was not himself. When I questioned him, he wouldn’t tell me anything about his friends.
Schoolboy, 14, stabbed to death on bus in broad daylight horror as manhunt launched for killer
“Gangs took advantage of my son and others. They were dressed up.”
Mary continued: “He lived on the streets for a year after running away from the children’s home.
“But when he came home he wrote graffiti on the balcony to say he loved me.”
Kelyan is said to have been on his way to Woolwich Town Hall to see his social worker on that first day at school when he was stabbed to death.
It comes after dozens of tributes have been paid to the teenager online, with the hashtag Long Live Kelyan (LLK) seen on TikTok and Instagram.
Kelyan attended St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School in Bexleyheath, south-east London, which was opened by former Tory Prime Minister Ted Heath in 1973.
No one has yet been arrested in connection with his death, and an urgent police search is underway.
Friends of the boy said he was “taken too soon” and described him as a keen footballer.
One friend said: “Kelyan was a good friend. He was loved by many people and devoted to his music.
“He didn’t deserve to die.”
Another said: “I knew him to be a nice guy, very energetic, decent guy, we’re going to miss him.”
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Forensics examine the bus on Tuesday eveningCredit: Peter Jordan
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Police at the scene in Woolwich on Tuesday nightCredit: LNP
The horror happened on the 472 bus route in Woolwich Church Road, close to the junction with the A205 Southern Ring Road, at around 2.30pm.
Officers attended, along with the London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance.
At the scene, the ambulance provided help to a 14-year-old boy who suffered stab wounds, but unfortunately he died soon after.
Chief Louise Sergent told a news briefing earlier that the attack was a “horrific crime”.
She added: “We are working to arrest the person involved.”
Mrs. Sergeant described how the initial warning was given by a local policeman on patrol.
She continued: “A 14-year-old boy was treated at the scene by paramedics for stab wounds, but sadly he died shortly after paramedics arrived.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims at this time.
“This is a terrible crime and I can’t imagine what they are going through right now.
“We are working to identify and arrest those involved.
“I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, all the more so given the very young age of the victim.”
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, added: “My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich following the horrific fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.
“This heartbreaking violence has absolutely no place in our city.
“I am in close contact with police chiefs – the investigation is ongoing and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area.”
About 10 teenagers were killed in London last year, nine of whom were stabbed, while one died in a shooting, according to data compiled by the PA news agency.
This is sharply less than the 21 teenage deaths in the capital in 2023. The youngest victim in 2024 was 14 years old.
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A police car outside a bus station in Woolwich, south London, after the stabbingCredit: PA
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Forensic experts collect evidence while police guard the cordonCredit: LNP
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Police and forensics inside the cordon on Tuesday eveningCredit: LNP
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