**Schoolboy Fatally Stabbed in Shocking Machete Attack on London Bus: Two Teens Admit Murder**
In a harrowing incident that has once again placed youth violence in the spotlight, a 14-year-old boy was killed in a brutal machete attack while making his way home on a London bus. The attack, which took place in broad daylight in the Woolwich area of south-east London, left the young victim, Kelyan Bokassa, with fatal injuries after being stabbed nearly 27 times.
Emergency services were alerted to the distressing scene on Woolwich Church Street, near the Woolwich Ferry, just before 2:30pm on Tuesday 7 January. Despite the swift response of medical teams, the severity of Kelyan’s wounds — including a severed femoral artery — proved insurmountable, and he was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
The killing sent shockwaves across the local community and beyond, with Kelyan remembered by family and friends as an aspiring rapper, full of promise and enthusiasm for life. In the aftermath of the attack, police took the unusual step of releasing CCTV images and publicly naming two teenage suspects, urging witnesses to come forward and assist with inquiries.
The judicial process proceeded swiftly. Two boys, both aged 16 at the time of the offence, were charged with murder. Appearing at the Old Bailey on Friday for a plea hearing, both defendants admitted to the murder of Kelyan Bokassa and to being in possession of a knife on Woolwich Church Street. The admissions were met with emotional reactions from Kelyan’s relatives, some of whom sobbed openly as they listened from the public gallery.
Court proceedings saw a temporary halt when one of the teenagers’ legal representatives requested additional time to consult their client, following what appeared to be an unexpected plea. The proceedings resumed later, with both boys formally confirming their admissions of guilt. Sentencing has been scheduled for 25 July, and Judge Mark Lucraft KC has requested full reports prior to the final hearing.
Earlier court statements provided chilling details of the attack, with prosecutor Tom Little KC outlining how the assailants — both armed with what he described as “lengthy machetes” — boarded the bus specifically seeking out their victim. According to Mr Little, the assault was far from random; the pair boarded, immediately headed for Kelyan as he sat on the upper deck, and launched their violent attack without hesitation.
“It is clear this is not a form of spontaneous incident,” Mr Little said. “The two defendants must have known the deceased was on the bus. They approach him and almost instantaneously, the two of them pull out machetes and attacked the deceased.” He added that Kelyan was subjected to 27 stabbings or attempted stabbings before the attackers fled the scene. Notably, one of the weapons was found discarded in the River Thames, later recovered by authorities as part of the investigation.
Due to their ages, legal restrictions prevent the identification of the two teenagers responsible for the attack. However, during the hearing it was indicated that an application could be made at sentencing to consider lifting this reporting restriction, depending on the court’s decision.
The murder of Kelyan Bokassa has added to ongoing concerns about youth violence and knife crime in the capital. Local officials and crime prevention advocates continue to call for urgent action to address the underlying causes and prevent further tragedies. The incident, being so brazen and public, has prompted renewed debate over the safety of young people travelling across the city and the measures needed to keep public transport safe for all.
A floral tribute now sits close to the site of the attack, a poignant reminder of a young life cut short and an incident that has resonated deeply both within the Woolwich community and across the nation. As the legal process moves towards sentencing, attention will remain fixed on the steps taken to ensure justice for Kelyan and to confront the broader issues underscored by his tragic death.