TWO young men were spotted “fleeing with a machete” after a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed on a bus – as the killer remains at large two days later.
Vince Seesarun, 31, a manager at a nearby estate agent, saw CCTV footage of the youths, who he said “couldn’t even be 18” – with one carrying a “massive machete“.
He said he saw them running away from the scene where Kelyan Bokassa was fatally stabbed in Woolwich Church Street.
He added: “The footage basically shows two boys frantically running, no coverings (on their faces), massive machete about the size of my forearm.”
He said they ran past one of the orange and grey high-rise flat blocks overlooking Woolwich Church Street, towards the Thames Path which runs alongside the river.
The two boys ran out of view of the CCTV camera towards the river and when they appeared in range of a second camera, they no longer had the weapon, he claimed.
He said footage then showed them walking east along the riverside path.
“Something happens. There’s the object gone after, then they were just calmly walking – that was the craziest part”, he said.
He added: “I’m sure” people could recognise them because of their lack of disguise.”
Keen footballer Kelyan died at the scene in Woolwich, south-east London, shortly before 2.30pm on Tuesday.
His mum described her teenage son as “caring” in a poignant tribute.
She said Kelyan lived on the streets in London for a year where he was groomed by gangs and “exposed to drugs” before his death.
Fighting back tears, Mary Bokassa, 50, told The Sun: “He was very 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.
“We had to move around and he was in care, he was there for four years with no progress. I begged for contact with my son.
“I had to get the support of a lawyer. He was missing for a year and was living on the street.
“He finally turned up at my doorstep, he was sick, underweight and tattooed.
The mum said her young son was then “taken advantage of” by local gangs.
She added: “He was exposed to drugs. He probably experienced something because I could sense it.
“He was not himself. If I questioned him he wouldn’t tell me anything about his friends.
“My son and others were taken advantage by gangs. They were groomed.”
Mary continued: “He lived in the streets for a year after he ran away from the children’s home.
“But when he came home wrote graffiti on the balcony to say he loved me.”
Kelyan is said to have been on his way to Woolwich Town Hall to see his social worker on what was his first day back at school when he was stabbed to death.
It comes as dozens of tributes have been made for the teen online, with the hashtag Long Live Kelyan (LLK) seen across TikTok and Instagram.
Kelyan attended St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School in Bexleyheath, south-east London, which was opened by former Conservative Tory prime minister Ted Heath in 1973.
No arrests have yet been made in connection with his death, with an urgent police manhunt ongoing.
Pals of the boy have said he was “taken too soon” and described him as a keen footballer.
One pal said: “Kelyan was a good friend. He was liked by lots of people and was devoted to doing his music thing.
“He didn’t deserve to die.”
Another said: “I knew him he was a nice guy, very energetic, a decent guy, he will be missed.”
The horror unfolded on a Route 472 bus in Woolwich Church Road, near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road, at around 2.30pm.
Officers attended, along with London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance.
Paramedics treated a 14-year-old boy at the scene who had received stab wound injuries, but he sadly died soon after.
A Met spokesperson said: “Following Kelyan’s tragic death yesterday, specialist officers are now leading the investigation which is progressing at pace.
“The incident happened shortly before 14:30hrs on a route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street, SE18 at the Woolwich Ferry bus stop.
“If anyone saw this horrific attack or was in the area then I urge them to come forward and speak to officers.
“We’re particularly interested in any mobile phone footage that captured this incident or any dash cam or doorbell footage from around the surrounding area at the time of this incident.
“I know this is an incredibly worrying time for those in Woolwich, and there will continue to be an enhanced police presence in the area.
“Our thoughts remains with Kelyan’s family, who are being supported by specialist officers at this difficult time.”
There has been no arrests and enquiries continue.
If anyone witnessed the incident or has any information which may help, they are urged to call police on 101 with reference 3795/07JAN25.
They can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
