In a horrifying incident that unfolded in the quiet suburb of Plainfield Township, Illinois, a six-year-old boy was brutally murdered and his 32-year-old mother severely injured. The alleged perpetrator, their landlord, reportedly attacked them with a knife in what appears to be an anti-Muslim hate crime.
The victims, recently turned six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume and his mother, were assaulted on October 14, 2023, at their residence.
The landlord, identified as 71-year-old Joseph Czuba, got apprehended at the scene by the Will County Sheriff’s Office. He was later charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
A 71-year-old American man brutally attacked an innocent 6-year-old American-Palestinian boy in Chicago and killed him with 26 strokes of a military knife. The child's mother was also sent to the hospital. pic.twitter.com/3UGRE7IdgM
— Everything you need to know (@Everything65687) October 16, 2023
The mother, despite her grave injuries, displayed remarkable courage during the attack. She managed to dial 911 while fighting off her assailant, barricading herself in the bathroom. Her quick thinking and bravery allowed law enforcement to arrive promptly at the scene.
Upon arrival, deputies found Czuba sitting outside the residence with a laceration on his forehead. Inside, they discovered the two victims in a bedroom, both suffering from multiple stab wounds. They were immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The young boy, tragically, did not survive his injuries. An autopsy revealed he had been stabbed twenty-six times throughout his body with a twelve-inch serrated military-style knife.
The mother, despite having over a dozen stab wounds, is expected to recover from this brutal assault.
Funeral for 6-year-old Palestinian boy killed by landlord to be held outside Chicago https://t.co/1mTvPv7bEb
— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) October 16, 2023
Czuba, after receiving treatment for his injury, was taken to the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex for questioning.
Although he did not provide any statements regarding his involvement in the attack, detectives were able to gather enough evidence through interviews and on-site findings to formally charge him.
The investigation revealed the victims were targeted due to their Muslim faith and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and Israel. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for mental health checks and a greater sense of understanding in our society.
