Kelyan Bokassa, a young drill rapper, was fatally stabbed on a bus in London while facing charges for a machete incident
London: It’s such a tragic story. Kelyan Bokassa, just 14, was an aspiring drill rapper who lost his life on a bus. He was stabbed in front of shocked passengers. Can you imagine?
He was on that number 472 bus in Woolwich when two boys attacked him. One of them reportedly had a machete. It’s just heartbreaking.
What’s even more shocking is that Kelyan was supposed to be in court soon for a machete charge himself. He had taken a blade to his college back in May.
Just an hour before he was killed, he was on social media asking if anyone had a “mindi,” which means knife in Somali. It’s so sad to think about what he was going through.
His mom, Mary, said he had been groomed by gangs after running away from care. She’s devastated, saying he was a kind kid who got caught up in a bad situation.
There are worries that his death might be linked to his music career. Known as “Grippa,” he had a presence online, and people are paying tribute to him with videos of his performances.
Drill music often gets a bad rap for its violent themes, and it seems Kelyan was caught in that world. His mom tried to get help for him, but it didn’t work out. She feels so hurt and helpless.
After his death, a vigil was held at St Mary Magdalene Church, where friends gathered to remember him. The police are asking anyone with information to step forward.
It’s a tough time in London, with a rise in youth violence. Last year, ten teenagers were killed, mostly from stabbings. It’s just a tragic cycle that needs to change.
