The life of the 14-year-old stabbing victim Kelyan Bokassa could have been saved if he had been helped to move out of south-east London, according to an anti-knife crime charity that knew him.
Kelyan, who was an aspiring drill rapper, was stabbed to death in Woolwich on a 472 bus on Tuesday afternoon.
Mark Rodney, from Project Lifeline, said the charity relocated three of Kelyan’s friends after another fatal stabbing in Woolwich last September, of Daejaun Campbell, 15, who was also Kelyan’s friend.
“Kelyan was known to us, and we had the opportunity of taking three young guys out of the area who were at risk,” he said. “Unfortunately, Kelyan didn’t get the chance to meet with us and move him out, because we need more support.”
After Daejaun’s death, Rodney warned Greenwich council there would be more killings if there was not more support for young people at risk of gang violence. But his warnings were ignored, he said.
“We told the council there are issues in the borough and there could be further fatalities if we don’t use this crucial time to address the concerns of the young people. We haven’t had a response.”
He added: “The ones that we did move, actually got in touch with us and we were able to relocate them. But the awareness needs to be there for young people who want a pathway to turn their lives around. More kids should have been moved after Daejaun’s killing. It is inhumane not to have the exit strategies there and then point fingers at young children.”
Kelyan’s mother, Mary Bokassa, told reporters that her son was “groomed” into gangs from the age of six.
She said: “I tried to prevent it. I screamed, I said: ‘My son is going to be killed.’”
Kelyan, who attended a pupil referral unit in Eltham, had various convictions including possession of cannabis, possession of a Stanley knife and the theft of £7 of snacks from a Greggs. He had been due to appear in court on Friday, charged with possession of a machete.
In November, Kelyan, who performed under the name Grippa, paid a rap tribute to Daejaun, who was known as Boogz.
Rodney said Kelyan took flowers last month to the mother of his dead friend Daejaun. He said: “He had a nice character, regardless of his dress wear or what he did on social media.”
Rodney added: “Had we been accessible to him, I’m sure he would have taken the steps that other young men took in the area and allowed us to relocate him. And I’m sure his mother would have taken that opportunity.”
Rodney said Kelyan’s mother was correct to use the word “grooming” in the context of gang violence. He said: “She’s right. It needs to be looked at as grooming or exploitation.”
The Metropolitan police have yet to make any arrests over Kelyan’s killing but said the investigation was continuing “at pace”.
Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Greenwich council’s cabinet member for community safety and enforcement, said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the friends, family and communities affected by knife crime.
“Nothing is more important than safeguarding our young people and ensuring our communities feel safe. We actively work to relocate young people and families as part of our commitment to ensuring their safety.
“Project Lifeline have made themselves known to us; however, we already work extensively with local organisations that we have longstanding relationships with. These organisations, funded by grants from the violence reduction unit, ensure that vital funding directly improves the lives of our communities.
“Through these partnerships, we deliver resources, outreach and interventions aimed at tackling the root causes of knife crime.”
She added: “Kelyan’s life was taken following a senseless act of violence. We understand and share the concerns of the community and will be assisting the police in any way we can with their investigation. Knife crime is a complex issue, but we’ll continue to work with schools, young people, the police and other voluntary partners to try to rid our streets of knives.”
