Teenage Wolverhampton knife murder victim Ronan Kanda honoured with ceremony at his old school

A Wolverhampton teenager who was stabbed to death in a tragic case of mistaken identity was honoured with a special event at his old school.

The family of Ronan Kanda were joined by Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden and representatives of West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police for the event yesterday (Monday, May 18).

It took place at Lanesfield Primary School in Wolverhampton, the school Ronan had attended as a youngster, at the start of Sceptre Week, a national week of action aimed at reducing knife crime.

The week, which takes place twice a year, gives an opportunity to highlight the work police and partners do all year round to tackle knife crime.

Ronan Kanda was 16 when he was murdered in a 2022 case of mistaken identity. Ronan was stabbed with a 20-inch ninja sword; the following year his teenage killers Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill were sentenced to minimum terms of 18 and 16 years in prison respectively.

Ronan’s death sparked a major campaign for tighter weapon restrictions, culminating in ‘Ronan's Law’, which became effective in August 2025 and which aims to combat the online sale of dangerous weapons, while his mother, Pooja Kanda, was appointed an OBE for her efforts campaigning for a change in the law.

Pooja Kanda said: “During Sceptre Week, we are proud to stand together, schools, police, government, and families with lived experience, united to protect young lives from knife crime.

“Today brings together Lanesfield Primary School, Mrs Rollinson, MPs, the Metropolitan Police, West Midlands Police, and families directly impacted by violence.

“We urge more primary schools to step forward and join this fight.

“Prevention starts early through education, support, conversations, and community.

“When we work together before young people become vulnerable, we create safer futures and stronger communities.

“This is not just awareness. This is action, partnership, and hope.”

Mr McFadden said: “Pooja and [Ronan’s sister] Nikita have done so much work since Ronan was killed and Nikita gave a talk to the children about the importance of staying safe and seeking an adult’s help if they’re in a quarrel.

“She laid out the devastation that had been caused to their family by what had happened and so I was happy to be there to support them and I think the work they have done in campaigning for Ronan’s Law has been such an inspiration, particularly after everything they’ve been through.

“They carry their grief every day, but they have tried to do whatever they can to make sure that other families don’t go through what they’ve gone through.”