A 14-year-old schoolboy, who was also an online rapper known as ‘Grippa’, was tragically stabbed to death on a London bus in Woolwich. The young teen suffered fatal knife wounds aboard the 472 bus towards Abbey Wood in what has been described by police as a “horrendous crime”.
The emergency services were called to the scene in Woolwich shortly before 2:30pm on Tuesday, where they found the red double-decker surrounded by police cars and ambulances.
Devastated friends of ‘Grippa’ have taken to social media to express their grief, stating he was “taken too soon” and sharing videos of the aspiring rapper’s latest track “Bangers and Mash”, which was released on Christmas Day. Authorities are currently on the hunt for the perpetrator, with no arrests made at this time.
The stabbing incident occurred on Woolwich Church Road near the junction with the A205 South Circular Road. Despite paramedics’ efforts to save the boy at the scene, he was pronounced dead, reports the Mirror.
A friend of the victim, visibly distraught, spoke to The Mirror at the police cordon, saying: “That’s my friend. He’s my good friend. I used to see him after school, he didn’t deserve this. He was a nice person. I finished school and my mum told me he got stabbed. He was a very nice person. He was good at football, but I don’t think he was pursuing it as a career.”
Superintendent Louise Sargent, the borough commander for Woolwich, labelled the incident as a “horrendous crime” upon her arrival at the scene to deliver a statement. She said: “I am very sad to say that this afternoon a 14-year-old boy has died following an incident in Woolwich. Police were called just before 2.30pm to a report of a stabbing on a bus.
“The incident occurred on a route 472 bus on Woolwich Church Street. Officers attended with London Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance. The initial alert was made by a police 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 cannot imagine what they must be going though right now.
“No arrests have been made at this early stage, but we are working at pace to identify and arrest those involved. Police cordons and road closures will remain in place while we continue to carry out enquiries. 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. The community can expect to see an enhanced police presence around the scene and the surrounding area.”
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