Two youngsters, aged 15 and 16, are arrested on suspicion of murdering rapper Kelyan Bokassa in Woolwich
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 14-year-old aspiring rapper in south London earlier this month.
Kelyan Bokassa was hacked to death on a bus with a machete on Tuesday, January 7, in Woolwich.
The 14-year-old was knifed 12 times whilst horrified passengers helplessly watched on.
Despite the best efforts of medics who arrived in minutes, Keylan could not be saved and he died at the scene.
Detectives investigating the killing revealed today they have arrested two boys aged 15 and 16 on suspicion of murder and both remain in custody.
A 44-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She also remains in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee who is leading on the investigation 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 on-going support and patience whilst we have carried out our investigation.
Kelyan Bokassa (pictured) was hacked to death on a bus with a machete on Tuesday, January 7, in Greenwich
Pictured is Kelyan’s heartbroken mother, Mary Bokassa holding a picture of her son
A forensic officer is seen holding a weapons tube used to collect evidence while on board the bus – January 7, 2025
‘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.’
Police were called at 2.28pm on Tuesday, 7 January to reports of a stabbing on a bus in Woolwich.
The incident occurred on a Route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road.
Officers attended, along with London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance.
Paramedics treated Kelyan at the scene for stab wound injuries, but he sadly died shortly after medics arrived.
Kelyan’s family continue to be supported by specialist officers and the investigation is ongoing.
His murder came as he was mourning the death of his close friend DaeJaun Campbell, 15, who was stabbed to death by a knife-wielding assassin.
Speaking to MailOnline last week Kelyan’s devastated mother Mary Bokassa wept as she blamed gangs for grooming her ‘kind and caring’ son during a spell when he was living rough on the streets after running away from a care home in Kent.
Police guard a cordon after a teenager was fatally stabbed on a London bus on Tuesday, January 7, 2025
She said of Kelyan: ‘He was very kind and caring. He cares about people and had a good sense of humour,’ she said.
‘He was very polite. He was interested in football and was a supporter of Arsenal.’
Terrified witnesses told of seeing two young men sprinting from the scene of Keylan’s murder, one armed with a machete ‘as long as your forearm’.
Twisted rap lyrics were later posted online mocking his death – after the teen shared videos of himself online rapping under the pseudonym ‘Grippa’.
The sick verse was posted to X, and boatsed about hunting the schoolboy down and how he’s ‘now sittin’ there stiff’.
It reads: ‘Caught Grippa lackin’ on the 472. Blade in my coat, yeah, it’s do or die (do or die).
‘He tried jumpin’ off, but the doors don’t slide (hah). Now he’s sittin’ there stiff with the fear in his eyes.’
It is not known who is responsible for the lyrics.
Kelyan had been an aspiring drill rapper, releasing a song on Christmas Day called ‘Bangers and Mash’.
The video showed him dressed in a hoodie and mask, pretending to wave a knife as he raps: ‘I’m the shortest shooter on my block but I still roll with the longest ting’.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 3795/07Jan.
