An 18-year-old footballer remains in hospital in critical condition after being stabbed by a group of youths, reportedly over “one look too many.”
Bruno Petrone was stabbed twice, in the abdomen and side.
He was rushed to the hospital and taken straight to intensive care.
It happened on Boxing Day (26 Dec) night.
His mother, Dorotea, told local media: “I went into Bruno’s room and was able to give him a kiss.
“He squeezed my hand to reassure me, and then, without speaking, silently asked with his lips, ‘Will I be able to play again?’”
By Saturday (27 Dec) evening, five youths had turned themselves in.
A 15-year-old confessed to delivering the two stabs, while the other four admitted taking part in the attack in Naples, Italy.
Police recovered the knife during a search of the 15-year-old’s home, as reported by Need To Know.
The suspect told investigators: “We had a fight a week ago, also at the bars. We just happened to run into each other. I’m sorry.”
Investigators say the 15-year-old bought a knife after the quarrel and carried it until the chance encounter with Bruno and his friends.
Bruno, a youth player for Angri Calcio, plays as a number 10 in Eccellenza, one step below Italy’s professional leagues.
A Napoli fan, he previously played in Serie C, making his debut at just 16.
“He’s not hot-headed, he doesn’t smoke or drink. I can’t make sense of what happened,” his mother said.
“After spending the holidays in Formia with his grandparents, he returned to Naples for training because football is his life.”
Four of the suspects have been sent to a youth detention centre, while the fifth was reported and released.
All five, who have no prior criminal records, face attempted murder charges. The 15-year-old also faces charges of illegal knife possession.
Reflecting on the attack, Bruno’s mother said: “We came to Naples from Minturno to support our son and help him fulfil his dream. Now I sometimes wonder if we got it all wrong.
“Bad things happen everywhere, but here there are too many weapons, too much violence, and these incidents happen far too often.
“It feels like living a scene from ‘Gomorra’ every night – it’s unbearable.
“A mother always hopes for the best for her child and thinks, ‘It won’t happen to me.’ But then the unthinkable happens.
“Bruno is getting better, though he’s still not out of danger.”
Bruno’s beloved club, SSC Napoli, showed its support online: “Stay strong, Bruno Petrone! We are all with you.”
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