A shattered community and a desperate plea to 'put the knives down' after boy, 14, is killed in night of unspeakable violence

Ibrahima Seck desperately ran for help after being knifed in New Moston - but he couldn't be saved

"Why would anyone do this to him?"

That is the heartbreaking question that the family of Ibrahima Seck are desperately seeking answers to after the 14-year-old schoolboy was brutally knifed to death in a night of horrific violence in New Moston.

The community of the north Manchester suburb has been left reeling. Passers-by have stopped to put down flowers, leave handwritten tributes and embrace the heartbroken family and loved ones of the teenager who all gathered together at the scene.

The streets were disrupted by a hive of police activity. Forensics in white suits were combing the area and taking pictures for evidence. Residential streets became major crime scenes and were surrounded by police tape on Monday (June 9).

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Ibrahima, a keen boxer, was fatally stabbed outside the Fairway Inn pub on Broadway on Sunday night. He then desperately ran to nearby Nevin Road, while bleeding and severely injured, calling for help.

Despite the best efforts of neighbours and paramedics, he later died in hospital as a result of his injuries. He was just 14-years-old.

But one defiant message remained clear. As the incident sent shockwaves through New Moston, handwritten cards placed between bunches of flowers and pictures pleaded for an end to knife crime - and represented a community not willing to be broken by the violence.

"We must stand together as communities in times like this" a tribute on a public GoFundMe page read, as signs left on flowers at the scene were penned: "Things need to change. Knives down, gloves up" and: "As a community, we hold your family in our hearts."

Ibrahima's loved ones, including both his parents, arrived at the scene of the stabbing outside the Fairway Inn. The teenager's father spoke briefly to confirm his son was the victim before sharing a photograph of the youngster, which was taped onto a post.

Tears were shed, while his relatives were supported by another local family who are understood to have helped the teenager following the fatal stabbing. Passers-by also offered their heartfelt condolences.

William Crolla, the younger brother of former boxing world champion Anthony, echoed the same sentiment as he said children are 'carrying knives like it's part of the uniform'.

He described Ibrahima as a 'really nice kid' and told the M.E.N how the teenager would visit the Fox boxing gym in Limeside, Oldham, every week as part of his school curriculum.

He said: "He was a cheeky chap, a really nice kid. He was always smiling, always laughing. I grew up on that street [where Ibrahima was killed], my mum's house was a minute away.

"Stuff like this was unheard of 10 years ago when I was growing up. Now people are carrying knives like it's part of the uniform. They think it's a game, but a knife, it's the exact same as a gun. Something like this affects so many lives."

Meanwhile friends and neighbours left rocked by the tragedy on their doorsteps also paid tribute. A neighbour, who said she knew the family well, said Ibrahima was the youngest of three siblings.

She added: "I felt sick, so very, very sick. I just couldn't believe that had happened to a family like that. It's so sad, bless them. There's not much we can, just offer our condolences and be there if they need anything."

In a moving tribute, the 14-year-old's family described the youngster as 'funny and well-liked' as they painfully questioned 'why anyone would do this'.

“Ibrahima was a well-liked young boy. He was funny, caring, and hardworking. He was our best friend, and he looked after me," they said.

“He was so smiley and always made everybody laugh. He was a good boy. The killers have killed two people- me and my son. Why would anyone do this to him? He does nothing wrong. My family want justice.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ibrahima's family by Dawn Frimpong, who described Ibrahima as a 'beautiful soul'.

The 14-year-old was said to have been knifed in a row 'over a bike', the M.E.N understands. On Monday, officers also cordoned off a property on Warbeck Road, with two forensic tents in the front garden. A bicycle could be seen underneath one of the two tents.

Multiple scenes remained in place overnight and into Monday as the murder investigation picked up pace. Specialist officers were seen searching the grounds of the Fairway Inn during the afternoon, with a police dog also part of the operation. Nevin Road, where Ibrahima collapsed, also remained taped off.

A murder investigation was launched by detectives in GMP's Major Incident unit. Within a few hours, Greater Manchester Police revealed three people were being held in connection with the fatal stabbing.

On Monday morning (June 9), the force said two people – males aged 14 and 16 – were arrested on suspicion of murder. A 14-year-old girl was arrested overnight on suspicion of assisting an offender, along with a 37-year-old woman who was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

A fifth suspect, a 14-year-old boy, was then also arrested on suspicion of murder, taking the total number of suspects to five. They are all in custody to be questioned in relation to the fatal incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Platten from our Major Incident Team said: “Firstly, the Force and I would like to pass on our condolences to Ibrahima’s loved ones and we will continue to support them at this sad time.

“This incident that has seen a young boy sadly die has understandably rocked the local community in New Moston.

“We have made significant headway in the investigation which has seen us arrest another suspect on suspicion of murder, that takes the arrest total up to five and we are continuing with questioning those suspects today.

“This is a live investigation and we are still looking for information, doorbell or dashcam footage, or eye-witness accounts from anyone who was in the area at the time quoting log 2250 of 08/06/2025.

"Information can be reported to us by calling 101 or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also use the reporting tools on our website – always call 999 in an emergency.”

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