Vigil Held for 6-Year-Old Boy Stabbed to Death in Plainfield Home
PLAINFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — The community of Plainfield gathered on Tuesday night to hold a vigil in honor of the 6-year-old boy who tragically lost his life in a stabbing incident over the weekend. The young boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, was stabbed to death at his home in unincorporated Plainfield, which has left the community in a state of shock and grieving.
On Monday night, a prayer vigil was held outside of a Joliet hospital for the boy’s 32-year-old mother, who was also injured in the attack. The incident, which authorities are labeling as a hate crime, has shaken the community to its core.
Earlier in the day, the funeral for young Wadea took place in suburban Bridgeview, where hundreds of mourners paid their respects and expressed their condolences to the grieving family. The tragic loss of such a young life has deeply impacted the local community.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker also met with the grieving family to offer their support and condolences during this difficult time.
During the prayer vigil outside the hospital, the community came together to pray for peace and justice. Many expressed their devastation and outrage that this heinous act had occurred as a result of religious targeting. Nesreen Abulaban, a supporter of the grieving family, stated, “It’s devastating; she was targeted because she was Muslim.”
According to prosecutors, the alleged attacker responsible for young Wadea’s death is the mother’s landlord, Joseph Czuba, aged 71. Czuba has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, battery, and hate crimes.
During the court hearing on Monday, prosecutors revealed details of the attack, stating that Czuba assaulted the mother and child in his home, where the Palestinian American family rented rooms. The mother shared with prosecutors that Czuba had expressed anger towards her regarding events in Jerusalem, to which she responded with a plea for peace. It was at this moment that Czuba allegedly attacked her with a knife.
In an effort to show solidarity and support for the grieving family, a vigil will be held on Tuesday night at the Prairie Activity & Recreation Center at 8 p.m. The community is invited to attend and stand up against hate, highlighting the importance of unity and peace in the face of tragedy.