More than 100 mourners gathered today for the funeral of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich.
Kelyan Bokassa died on a Route 472 double-decker bus on Woolwich Church Road at just before 2.30pm on January 7.
His funeral took place at 11am on Wednesday at Christ Church in Greenwich, where crowds gathered to remember him.
In her eulogy, Kelyan’s mother described him as a “protector” and a “loyal friend” who “nurtured his friendships” and put his friends first.
Two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged with Kelyan’s murder. After a hearing in January, they were both remanded into custody.
Rev. John Pout, who led the service, said, "Kelyan’s life was just beginning. He was a young man full of potential and clearly very gifted," the BBC reported.
"He was kind, he was sensitive, generous and thoughtful. Not just in the words he used but in the things that he did,” he added.
“He was known to give away his things to others who had less than him."
Ms Bokassa was comforted by Kelyan’s aunt, Dahlia Edwards, at the funeral.
Teenagers held flowers during the congregation while two of Kelyan’s friends were seen singing Hallelujah.
Some of the young people in attendance were said to also be friends of Daèjaun Campbell, who was fatally stabbed not far from where Kelyan was killed, the BBC reported.
Bromley magistrates court previously heard Kelyan was stabbed repeatedly on his journey home and died from a severed femoral artery.
A plea hearing has been set for April 14 and a trial at the same court has been provisionally set for October 13.
