TEENAGE FOOTBALLER, 15, AND HIS FATHER FIGHT FOR THEIR LIVES AFTER MASKED MEN STORM FAMILY HOME — COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND THEM

Imrane Chelirem and his father, Mohamed, remain in critical condition following a late-night attack in Leicestershire. As their family faces an agonizing wait, a local football club has launched a fundraiser to support them.

A quiet family home became the scene of a terrifying late-night attack when two masked men allegedly entered a house in Thurnby, Leicestershire, and left a teenage boy and his father fighting for their lives.

Imrane Chelirem, 15, and his father, Mohamed, were seriously injured during the incident shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, according to Leicestershire Police.

The boy’s mother was also injured during the attack, suffering wounds to her hand and shoulder. She was treated in hospital and later discharged. Three other children who were inside the home were not injured.

As investigators work to establish what happened and why, the family’s ordeal has prompted an outpouring of concern from their local community.

“A HORROR SCENE” THAT WOKE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Police were called to the property on Station Road, near Somerby Road, after reports of a disturbance.

According to authorities, two masked men entered the home and assaulted three occupants in what detectives described as an apparently unprovoked attack.

Neighbours later described hearing shouting, screaming and loud banging noises during the early hours of the morning.

One eyewitness told Sky News that two men were seen running away from the house before disappearing into the darkness.

The neighbour said the family urgently needed help, prompting a call to emergency services. Police, armed officers and ambulances subsequently arrived at the scene.

Both Imrane and his father were taken to hospital, where they remained in critical condition in the latest reports.

IMRANE IS A MUCH-LOVED MEMBER OF HIS FOOTBALL TEAM

Away from the frightening circumstances of the attack, Imrane is known to his teammates as a young footballer with a bright personality and a strong connection to his club.

He plays for Coalville Town Raptors, whose representatives have spoken publicly about the family’s difficult situation.

In a message shared after the incident, the club described Imrane as a much-loved member of its football community — a young person whose friendships with teammates extend far beyond the pitch.

The club also announced a fundraising effort to help support the family as they face an incredibly difficult period.

Its message acknowledged that donations cannot take away the family’s pain or uncertainty, but said the wider community could show its support in a practical way.

The appeal has given friends, teammates and supporters an opportunity to stand alongside the family while they wait for news about the two critically injured patients.

A FAMILY LEFT FACING AN UNIMAGINABLE WAIT

The attack also left Imrane’s mother injured, adding to the distress facing the household.

While she has been discharged from hospital, the condition of her husband and son remains the family’s most pressing concern.

The fact that other children were present in the house but escaped physical injury has also underlined the frightening circumstances in which the incident unfolded.

For neighbours who regarded the area as a peaceful place to live, the events have been deeply unsettling. Some told local media that the attack had changed how safe they felt in their own homes.

Police have continued to appeal directly to residents for information that could help identify those responsible.

POLICE SEARCH FOR CLUES AS INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit are leading the investigation.

Detective Inspector Lorna Granville said officers were still working to understand the full circumstances of the incident and identify the people involved.

Police are particularly interested in information about suspicious activity around Station Road and Somerby Road between 11 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, and the early hours of Thursday, October 8.

Residents with CCTV or doorbell footage have been asked to contact investigators. Drivers who were in the area and may have captured relevant images on dashcams are also being urged to come forward.

Officers have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries, examining available footage and conducting forensic work at the property.

As of the latest reports cited here, the suspects’ motive had not been established publicly.

A COMMUNITY UNITED IN HOPE

For Imrane’s teammates and the people who know the family, the immediate focus is on supporting them through the days ahead.

A football club’s tribute and fundraising appeal have become a reminder that the effects of a violent incident extend far beyond the people directly injured. Families, friends, teammates and neighbours are left waiting for answers and hoping for better news.

For now, Imrane and Mohamed remain at the centre of that anxious wait, while investigators continue searching for information that could help explain what happened.

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area or has relevant CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage is urged to contact Leicestershire Police.

As the investigation continues, the community is holding on to hope for a father and son whose lives were changed in a matter of moments.