A devastated mother of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on a Burnley bus has told the Mail Online that her son was “taken advantage of by gangs”.
Mary Bokassa, 50, paid a heartfelt tribute to her son Kelyan Bokassa, whom she described as “kind and caring.”
The boy, also an internet rapper known as ‘Grippa’, was attacked on the 472 bus in Woolwich Church Road shortly before 2.30pm yesterday (January 7).
He was treated on the site by emergency personnel, but he died soon after they arrived.
According to MailOnline, his mother described him as sweet and compassionate. He cares about people and has a terrific sense of humour.
“He was quite polite. He enjoyed football and supported Arsenal.”
She claims her son was placed in care four years ago but lived on the streets for a year because he “kept running away”.
The mother worries that her son and other young boys were “groomed” by crooks during his disappearance.
He was “sick, underweight, and tattooed” when he returned, according to his mother.
According to the MailOnline claim, Ms. Bokassa felt her son was “not himself” and avoided discussing his friends after that.
Ms Bokassa claimed Kelyan had “problems with the law” but was on his way to meet a social worker at Woolwich Town Hall on the day he was slain.
On Christmas Day, Grippa uploaded the song “Bangers N Mash” on YouTube.
Tributes have flooded in for the musician, with friends on social media claiming he was “taken too soon”.
A comment on the teen’s Instagram reads, “Life is no joke. Once you leave, you’re gone.
“There’s no coming back. RIP.”
Another one said, “Gone but not forgotten. RIP.”
A police cordon in Woolwich.(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA)
Deputy Commander Louise Sargent called the incident a “horrendous crime” and said it was a “worrying time” for the community.
She told reporters at the site, “I’m extremely sad to tell that a 14-year-old boy died this afternoon.
“The initial notice was sent by a local cop on patrol.
“Paramedics treated a 14-year-old boy who had been stabbed on the site, but he died shortly after they arrived.
“Right now, our sympathies are with the victim’s family and friends.
“This is a horrific crime, and I can’t image what they’re going through right now.
“We are working quickly to locate and arrest individuals implicated.
“I know this will be a worrying time for everyone here in Woolwich, and all the more so given the very young age of the victim.”
No arrests have been made while police investigations continue.
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