Mary Bokassa, 50, has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her son Kelyan Bokassa, who she called “kind and caring”.
The teenager, who is also an online rapper who goes by the name of ‘Grippa’, was stabbed on the 472 bus in Woolwich Church Road just before 2.30pm yesterday (January 7).
He was treated at the scene by emergency services, but he died shortly after medics arrived.
Speaking to the MailOnline, his mum said: “He was very kind and caring. He cares about people and had a good sense of humour.
“He was very polite. He was interested in football and was a supporter of Arsenal.”
She claims her son had been taken into care four years ago, but lived on the streets for a year as he “kept running away”.
A person leaves flowers next to a bus stop on Woolwich Church Road in Woolwich (Image: Jordan Pettitt / PA)
The mum fears her son, and other young boys, were “groomed” by criminals during his time he disappeared.
According to the mum, when he returned he was “sick, underweight and tattooed”.
From that point, Ms Bokassa, believed her son was “not himself” and he would deflect saying anything about his friends, the MailOnline report states.
Ms Bokassa claimed Kelyan had “problems with the law” but had been heading to see a social worker at Woolwich Town Hall to sort the problem on the day he was killed.
Grippa released a song on YouTube called “Bangers N Mash” on Christmas Day.
Tributes have since poured in for the musician with friends on social media saying he was “taken too soon”.
One comment left on the teen’s Instagram reads: “Life is no joke. Once you are gone you’re gone.
“Ain’t no coming back. RIP.”
Another one said: “Gone but never forgotten. RIP.”
Deputy Commander Louise Sargent described the attack as a “horrendous crime”, and said it was a “worrying time” for local residents.
She told reporters at the scene: “I’m very sad to say that this afternoon a 14-year-old boy has died.
“The initial alert was raised by a local officer out on patrol.
“Paramedics treated a 14-year-old boy at the scene who had received stab wounds, but really sadly, he died shortly after medics arrived.
“Our thoughts at this time are with the victim’s family and friends.
“This is a horrendous crime, and I can’t imagine what they must be going through right now.
“We are working at pace to identify and arrest those involved.
“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 as police enquires continue.
