Social media built narrative that Christopher Kapessa’s death was racist killing, say police

Suggestions that 13-year-old was pushed into river by schoolmate led to online comparisons with Stephen Lawrence murder

A senior police officer has raised concerns that a “narrative” was built up suggesting the death of a black boy allegedly pushed into a Welsh river by a schoolmate was a racist killing.

Det Ch Insp Matt Powell, who led the police investigation into 13-year-old Christopher Kapessa’s death, said comparisons to Stephen Lawrence’s murder on social media led to tensions rising in the community and meant the suspect had to be given protection.