Chicago Landlord Charged with Murder and Hate Crimes in Stabbing of 6-Year-Old Boy
A Chicago-area landlord, Joseph M. Czuba, has been arrested and charged with murder and hate crimes after allegedly stabbing and killing a 6-year-old boy and seriously injuring his mother. The incident is believed to be motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment.
Czuba, 71, faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of a hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. The Will County Sheriff’s Office stated that the victims were targeted due to their Muslim faith and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The family, who are Palestinian, had sought refuge in America to live peacefully. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed their shock and condolences to the family and condemned the attack. They called for unity and the rejection of Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred.
The incident took place in Plainfield Township, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago. Authorities responded to a 911 call from the mother, who reported that the landlord had attacked her. Deputies found Czuba near the home’s driveway, while the victims were discovered in a bedroom with multiple stab wounds.
Tragically, the boy suffered 26 stab wounds and did not survive. The mother, aged 32, sustained over a dozen stab wounds but is expected to recover. The victims were identified as Hanaan Shahin and her son, Wadea Al-Fayoume, by the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
The attack occurred amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Israel and Hamas engaged in conflict. However, authorities have not established a direct connection between the international events and Czuba’s alleged actions.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned the attack as an act of bigotry and evil. He emphasized the importance of creating an environment where all residents, including Muslims, Jews, and Palestinians, can live free from such threats.
CAIR and other organizations have called for an end to Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Palestinian racism, stressing the need for unity and understanding.
Czuba has been detained at the Will County Adult Detention Facility, and his initial court appearance is pending. It is unclear if he has legal representation at this time.