Two teens, 15 & 16, charged after schoolboy, 14, stabbed to death on bus
TWO teenagers have been charged with the murder of Kelyan Bokassa in southeast London.
A 15-year-old boy from Woolwich, and a 16-year-old boy from Plumstead, were charged with the murder of the tragic schoolboy, 14, in the early hours of this morning.
They will appear at Bromley Youth Court later today.
David Malone, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge two teenagers with murder following the tragic death of Kelyan Bokassa in Woolwich on January 7.
“The boys, aged 15 and 16, who cannot be named at this stage in legal proceedings, will appear at Bromley Youth Court for a first hearing on Thursday January 16.
“Our thoughts remain with Kelyan’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active and each of the defendants has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
INCIDENT
Police were called at 2.28pm on January 7 to reports of a stabbing on a Route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street, near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road.
Officers attended, along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance.
Kelyan died shortly after medics arrived. His family are being supported by specialist officers.
Following a manhunt by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, three arrests were made yesterday (January 15).
A 44-year-old woman was arrested for assisting an offender and has since been released under investigation.
Last week, the victim’s heartbroken mum opened up about how her son had been targeted by gangs from the age of 6.
Mary told the Sun on Sunday how she would track him down to park benches in the middle of the night and beg him to come home — but he was too scared his handlers would kill him.
The devastated mum, 50, added: “I tried to prevent it. I screamed. I said, ‘My son is going to be killed’.”
Keylan was taken into care four years ago – with Mary taking legal action to get him back, but without success.
Originally from the Central African Republic, she moved to London from France where she had Kelyan and brought him up on her own.
After Kelyan was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at six, there was an arson attack on their home and eventually at ten he was taken into care.
Mary says: “I was moved from one place to another by the council. The properties were not suitable for me and my son but it was all they had.
“Then our flat was set on fire. We had to run away from the flames.
“And that is when he was taken into care against my wishes. He was so unhappy that he frequently ran away. Kelyan had no choice but to find a family and that was the streets.
“I begged for contact with my son. I had to get the support of a lawyer.
“The separation was extremely harsh on his mental health.
“At one point he was missing for a year and was living on the street. He finally turned up at my doorstep, sick, underweight and tattooed.
“If I questioned him he wouldn’t tell me anything about his friends.”
Mary remembers he had turned into a ghost-like figure.
She said: “We had to chase him at night, and we found him on a bench in the Stratford area.
“We said to him, ‘We are here when you are ready to come home’.
“He wouldn’t tell me what he was doing or who he was with.
“I wanted him to come back with me, but he would not listen. He was damaged. He had been taken from me.”
Following the tragic events, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Greenwich following the appalling fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy.
“This heart-breaking violence has absolutely no place in our city. I am in close contact with police leaders – an investigation is underway and local residents will see increased patrols in the local area.”
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich tweeted: “Deeply saddened that another young life has been lost in our community today following a stabbing in Woolwich.
“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the deceased.”
Days after Kelyan’s death, around 40 mourners – including friends of the victim – gathered at a vigil held at St Mary Magdalene Church, which overlooks the bus stop where he died.
Mourners carried bunches of flowers and wiped away tears as moments of silence were held between readings and music.
During the service, one of Kelyan’s friends paid tribute to him, saying he would “always be there for you”.
The teenage boy said: “He was a fun guy. He had a pure heart. He would always be there for you.”
He then joked about Kelyan eating “bare food”.
Prayers and Bible readings on the importance of children, protecting young people and reducing violence were led by Reverend Jesse van der Valk and Bishop of Woolwich Alastair Cutting.
POLICE
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee said yesterday: “While these arrests mark a significant step forward in this investigation, we continue to appeal for anyone with information about Keylan’s murder to come forward and speak to us.
“I would like to thank officers for working around the clock in order to locate our suspects and praise the Woolwich community for their on-going support and patience whilst we have carried out our investigation.
“I know that this incident deeply affected you all, and I hope that these two arrests reassure you that we are doing everything to tackle violent offenders across London.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call 101, quoting the reference 3795/07Jan.