Greenwich (Parliament Politics Magazine) – 2 teenage boys and a 44-year-old woman will soon face court after a week-long manhunt for the murder suspect.
On 7th January, a 14-year-old teenager, Kellyanne Bokassa, was stabbed on a bus in Woolwich, South East London. Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 16-year-old teenager from Plumstead was arrested this morning, on January 16, 2025. Another suspect is a 15-year-old who was detained in Woolwich from the Greenwich borough.
A 44-year-old woman was yesterday arrested on suspicion of assisting a criminal with a teenager. She is reported to be released pending a further investigation.
The boys cannot be named because of their age; however, they have been detained and are expected to be taken to Bromley Magistrates Court soon.
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.
“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.”
What details have emerged about the stabbing case of Kelyan Bokassa?
On January 7, 2025, just before 2:30 p.m., Kelyan was attacked on the 472 route bus.
The incident happened close to the intersection of Woolwich Church Street and the A205 South Circular Road.
Sadly, Kelyan was declared deceased shortly after emergency personnel and an air ambulance arrived on the site.
In front of other appalled passengers, the child was allegedly stabbed twelve times with a machete.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the teenage boys were taken into custody yesterday after an extensive search by Specialist Crime Command.
Speaking at the time of the arrests on Wednesday, Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee said: ‘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 ongoing 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.’
According to a spokesman, the inquiry is still ongoing and Kelyan’s family is still receiving support from specialised police.
At the time of his murder, he was grieving the loss of his close friend DaeJaun Campbell, 15, who had also been stabbed dead.
What were Kelyan’s mother’s concerns about his involvement with gangs?
Kelyan was a rising drill rapper who released the song “Bangers and Mash” on Christmas Day.
In the video, he was seen rapping while wearing a mask and sweatshirt and faking to wave a knife.
Mary Bokassa, his 50-year-old mother, had earlier grieved as she described her concerns that her “polite” son had been introduced to drugs and manipulated by gangs.
She told the journalists; ‘He was very kind and caring. He cared about people and had a good sense of humour.
‘He was very polite. He was interested in football and was a supporter of Arsenal.’
According to Ms. Bokassa, his son Kelyan was placed in foster care four years prior, but he “kept running away” and spent a year living on the streets, where she believed he was being played upon by criminals.
‘My son and others were taken advantage of by gangs. They were groomed,’ Ms Bokassa told journalists from her home in south east London.
The mother of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on a bus in south-east London has said she is not surprised her son was killed.
— London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) January 8, 2025
Kelyan Bokassa was groomed by gangs from the age of six years old, his mother Mary Bokassa said. pic.twitter.com/pRranHYXgX
Ms Bokassa added: ‘He was missing for a year and was living on the street. He finally turned up at my doorstep, he was sick, underweight and tattooed… He was exposed to drugs. He probably experienced something because I could sense it.’
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 2025.
‘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.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 3795/07Jan.’
How is Kellyanne’s case part of the growing teenage knife trend in London?
10 teenagers have been stabbed in London according to a survey taken in 2024.
Kellyanne’s stabbing case is the latest incident in Greenwich borough. Kellyanne’s death is the latest tragedy. It is reported that by 2023, it is expected that 21 youth deaths will decrease slightly.
A Ministry of Justice report shows that in 2017, around 27,000 young people aged 10-17 in London were identified as members of street gangs.
Kellyanne’s death is part of a worrying trend in stabbing crime involving young people.
Just a few months earlier, another teenager, Dejoun Campbell, had been fatally stabbed in Woolwich. It emphasizes the urgent need for community action and intervention to address youth violence.
The Metropolitan Police said incidents of knife crime against young people are increasing. Many of the cases are linked to gang activities and turf wars.