“HE’S ONLY 15 — AND NOW HIS FAMILY IS FACING AN UNIMAGINABLE FIGHT” — TEEN FOOTBALLER IMRANE CHELIREM AND HIS DAD LEFT CRITICALLY ILL AFTER HOME ATTACK

Imrane Chelirem, 15, and his father Mohamed were seriously injured when two masked men entered their family home in the early hours of October 8. Their local football club has paid tribute to Imrane as a much-loved young player, while police continue to investigate.

A family in Leicestershire is facing an agonising wait after a teenage footballer and his father were left in critical condition following an attack at their home.

Imrane Chelirem, 15, and his father, Mohamed, were injured when two masked men entered their house in Thurnby, near Leicester, shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, according to police.

The teenager’s mother, who is in her 40s, was also injured during the incident, suffering wounds to her hand and shoulder. Three other children who were inside the property were not injured.

Emergency services were called following reports of a disturbance. Both Imrane and his father were taken to hospital, where they remained in a critical condition in the latest reports published on October 13.

Neighbours awakened by screams

Residents described hearing shouting, screaming and banging noises in the middle of the night.

One neighbour told Sky News that the sounds woke them from sleep. They later saw two men running away from the house and immediately contacted emergency services after learning how seriously the family had been hurt.

A large emergency response followed, with police, ambulances and armed officers attending the scene.

The incident has shaken residents of Thurnby, a community where neighbours said they had previously felt safe. Some expressed disbelief that such a violent incident could happen in their neighbourhood.

Police have described the assault as appearing to be “completely unprovoked,” but investigators have not yet established a motive.

A young footballer loved by his teammates

Away from the investigation, Imrane is being remembered by his football club, Coalville Town Raptors, as a valued member of its youth team.

The club described him as a young person full of life, personality and determination who had built friendships and memories with his teammates that went far beyond football.

It has launched a fundraiser to support the family during an incredibly difficult period, as loved ones remain by Imrane and Mohamed’s side.

The club acknowledged that fundraising cannot remove the family’s pain or uncertainty, but said it could help demonstrate how much support surrounds them.

For teammates and friends, the hope remains that Imrane and his father will recover.

Police appeal for information

Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the attack.

Officers are particularly interested in information about suspicious people or vehicles seen around Station Road and Somerby Road in Thurnby between 11 p.m. on October 7 and the early hours of October 8.

Police are also reviewing local CCTV and have appealed for doorbell-camera and dashcam footage that might help identify those responsible.

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville said officers were pursuing all viable lines of inquiry and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward.

The two men suspected of carrying out the attack had left before police arrived. No motive had been publicly confirmed in the reports available at the time of publication. <Cite refs={[“turn482111search3″,”turn482111search4”]}/>

A family waiting for hope

For the Chelirem family, the immediate priority is the recovery of Imrane and Mohamed.

The attack has left relatives and friends facing an uncertain future, while the local community has rallied around them with messages of support and fundraising efforts.

Imrane is still a teenager, with years of friendships, football and life ahead of him. His club’s tribute has highlighted the person behind the headlines — a young player whose presence matters to the people around him.

As detectives continue their work, the family’s loved ones are left hoping for better news from hospital.

Two family members remain critically ill, a community is standing beside them, and investigators are working to establish who carried out the attack and why.

Sources

• The Irish Sun — Teen footballer and father named after masked intruders attack family home
• Sky News — Father and teenage son critically injured in attack at home
• LBC — Police investigation into the Thurnby attack
• The Independent — Father and son in critical condition after masked intruders break into home