Vigil to be held for teen stabbed in Woolwich

A vigil is being held for the 14 year old who was fatally stabbed on a bus in Woolwich.

The Bishop of Woolwich will help lead the 7pm service at St Mary Magdalene, its church warden emeritus said.

Dex Sobowale told the PA news agency: "Once we heard the news yesterday, and because it's almost next door to the church, we felt we should (hold the service.)

"We felt we should get the community to come together and sit in the church, not because it will be a formal service of any sort, but for people just (to) walk into the church, sit down still (for) one moment and, you know, share whatever feelings they have."

He added: "As we were planning all this we still didn't know who the victim was.

"Perhaps later there will be a community service for the family, but tonight is just a community service to pray for community togetherness, and for things like this to stop happening - it's really terrible."

Kelyan Bokassa was attacked on the 472 bus route on Tuesday afternoon and died at the scene from his injuries.

His mother claims he was groomed by gangs after running away from care and living on the streets. Mary Bokassa described her son as kind and caring and liked football, adding: "I can't believe he is gone. I cannot believe it."

Tributes were paid to Kelyan online, with a number of messages featuring pictures of doves posted below a rap video on Instagram.

The clip, posted under the name Grippa, showed a masked figure wearing black and holding a microphone as he performs for the camera in an underground car park.

He was "briefly" a pupil at St Columba's Catholic Boys School in Bexleyheath, south-east London, in 2022.

The South East London Catholic Academy Trust released a statement saying: "We are saddened by the loss of life in Woolwich yesterday of a young boy who was briefly a pupil of St Columba's in 2022.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

"Our schools will provide support to any of the students who may be affected by this senseless violence."

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Thorpe, who is leading the investigation, said:

“Following Kelyan’s tragic death yesterday, specialist officers are now leading the investigation which is progressing at pace.

“The incident happened shortly before 14:30hrs on a route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street, SE18 at the Woolwich Ferry bus stop. If anyone saw this horrific attack or was in the area then I urge them to come forward and speak to officers. We’re particularly interested in any mobile phone footage that captured this incident or any dash cam or doorbell footage from around the surrounding area at the time of this incident.

“I know this is an incredibly worrying time for those in Woolwich, and there will continue to be an enhanced police presence in the area.

“Our thoughts remains with Kelyan’s family, who are being supported by specialist officers at this difficult time.”

No arrests have been made so far.

Cordons remain in place around several blocks of flats overlooking Woolwich Church Street.

Police tape sections off parts of the car park on the side facing the road and a portion of the Thames Path by the river.

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