A teenage boy appeared in court on Friday charged with killing 15-year-old Croydon schoolgirl Elianne Andam.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be name for legal reasons, is accused of murder and possession of a knife.
He was arrested at an address in Croydon 75 minutes after the attack on Wednesday morning. Police said a knife was recovered in Cedar Road, about half a mile from the murder scene.
The accused appeared at the youth court sitting before Croydon Magistrates on Friday morning.
The boy, wearing a prison issue her tracksuit, spoke only to confirm his name, address and age.
District Judge Daniel Benjamin remanded him in custody to appear at Crown Court on Tuesday.
The court appearance came after a vigil was held for Elianne on Thursday night.
Her devastated mother Dorcas Andam, 45, broke down in tears as she laid flowers at the spot where her daughter died during Wednesday morning’s rush hour.
She was consoled by husband Michael and dozens of relatives as they paid their respects to aspiring lawyer Elianne, a pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift independent girls’ school.
Ms Andam, a specialist nurse in child safeguarding, said they were heartbroken by her “senseless death”.
Her husband Dr Andam, 52, is a care home manager who holds a doctorate in Christian education and set up a religious youth charity in response to the 2011 London riots. He was born in Lewisham but attended school in Ghana before returning.
A large group gathered next to a bus stop inside the police cordon. Loved ones embraced as flowers were placed on the ground.
It is alleged Elianne, a keen gymnast and cheerleader, died as she stepped in to defend her friend who was attacked as she got off a No 60 bus.
Police, paramedics and an air ambulance were called to Wellesley Road, near the Whitgift Centre, at roughly 8.30am on but Elianne died shortly afterwards.
The year 11 pupil at Old Palace of John Whitgift school, in Croydon, had just got off a double decker bus with a group of friends when she was attacked.
Elianne is the 15th teenage victim of homicide in London so far this year.
Rosemarie Mallett, the Bishop of Croydon, read a powerful family statement alongside Elianne’s aunt Marian after Thursday night’s vigil.
She said: “We, as a family are struggling to comprehend this painful tragedy that has happened to our beautiful daughter and beloved sister Elianne.
“Our hearts are broken. We are overwhelmed by sorrow and grief but our faith in the Lord is strengthening us.”
Her statement described Elianne as “a beautiful person inside and out” who was “intelligent, thoughtful, kind and had a bright future ahead of her.”
Separately, a man in his 30s was left with potentially life-changing injuries after being stabbed less than half a mile away near East Croydon station at around 3.30am on Friday.
