The mother of a 14-year-old boy killed on a London bus shares her heartbreak and concerns about gang influence.
London: A tragic incident unfolded when a 14-year-old boy named Kelyan Bokassa was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich. His mother, Mary, expressed her heartbreak but admitted she wasn’t surprised by the outcome.
Kelyan, who had dreams of becoming a rapper, was attacked near the Woolwich Ferry. His mother revealed that he had been involved with gangs since he was just six years old.
Mary described her son as caring but said he faced many challenges, including being taken into care for a while. She mentioned he was underweight and had been exposed to drugs.
Despite their struggles, they had a nice Christmas together, and he was back in school. Mary had reached out for help to keep him away from gangs but felt let down by the authorities.
She shared her pain, saying she had warned that her son was in danger. At a vigil for Kelyan, friends remembered him as a fun-loving kid with a big heart.
Anti-knife campaigner Faron Paul spoke at the vigil, urging local government to provide better support for those affected by violence. He highlighted the ongoing cycle of youth violence and the need for long-term solutions.
One of Kelyan’s friends recalled how he was always there for others and had a pure heart. It’s heartbreaking to think about the loss of such a young life.
As the community mourns, police are asking anyone with information about the stabbing to come forward. Last year, ten teenagers lost their lives in similar incidents in London, a troubling statistic that highlights the urgent need for change.
