Killing of Wadea al-Fayoume explained

Killing of Wadea al-Fayoume
Partof:violent incidents in reaction to the Israel–Hamas war
Location:Plainfield, Illinois, United States
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Timezone:CDT
Type:Child homicide, stabbing, strangulation
Weapon:Military knife
Fatalities:Wadea al-Fayoume
Injuries:Hanaan Shahin
Motive:Anti-Palestinianism, Islamophobia
Accused:Joseph Czuba
Charges:

On October 14, 2023, Wadea al-Fayoume, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy, was killed when he was stabbed 26 times in his home in Plainfield Township, Illinois. His mother, Hanaan Shahin, was also stabbed and strangled, leaving her critically injured. Authorities have described the killing as a hate crime motivated by lslamophobia and anti-Palestinianism, and an extremist reaction to the contemporaneous 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[1]

The killing lead to several statements and condemnations from government officials and organizations. A fundraiser was organized to give Shahin safe housing, covering fees for the funeral and hospitalization, and establishing a charity in al-Fayoume's name. A vigil was held for him shortly after his death.

The accused, 71-year-old Joseph Czuba, who was Shahin's landlord, was arrested and charged with five counts, for which he potentially faces up to life in prison.

Killing

According to the Will County Sheriff's Office, at around 11:30 a.m. on October 14, 2023, the landlord Joseph Czuba allegedly knocked on the door of 32-year-old Hanaan Shahin's home. Shahin told detectives that the accused came to her door, angry with her about what was happening in Jerusalem.[2] [3] [4] After Shahin answered the door, the accused strangled her while yelling "You Muslims must die."[5] [6] [7] After Shahin responded, "let's give peace a chance", Czuba allegedly attacked her with a knife. Shahin scratched him, ran to the bathroom and called 9-1-1. When she came out, she found her six-year old son Wadea al-Fayoume wounded with multiple stabs. Al-Fayoume and Shahin were transported to a hospital, where al-Fayoume was pronounced dead and Shahin was treated in critical condition. Law enforcement officers who arrived at the scene found the accused sitting outside Shahin's home with a cut on his face.[6] [2] [7]

Accused

Authorities said that the attack was motivated by anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian extremism following the escalation of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in October 2023.[8] Czuba's wife said that her husband regularly listens to conservative talk radio and was very interested in current events. He was afraid that a "national day of jihad" would happen on October 13, and that his tenants would call Palestinian friends to come and harm him and his wife.[4] He also withdrew $1,000 from his bank account in case "the grid" went down.[4] In December 2023, it was reported that his wife had filed for divorce.[9]

Legal proceedings

Prosecutors have charged the suspect with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and two counts of hate crimes. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.[10] On October 15, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland and the United States Department of Justice opened a federal hate crime investigation into the attack.[11] The FBI announced a separate hate crime investigation on October 16.[12]

On November 21, 2023, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed by al-Fayoume's father against Czuba, his wife and their management company, claiming that they "were indifferent and failed to recognize a threat and prevent serious bodily harm". A hearing for the court case was set for March 11, 2024.[13]

Aftermath

A vigil for al-Fayoume was held shortly after his death at a local basketball court in Plainfield to mark his love for the sport. His father spoke to the crowd, calling his son an "All-American boy" who was always smiling and full of love, with other friends and family members speaking. The highest-ranking Muslim in the Biden administration, Dilawar Syed, also attended and spoke on behalf of the president.[14]

A fundraiser was organized through LaunchGood to help cover funeral and medical expenses for al-Fayoume and his mother. A portion of the fundraiser would be sectioned off to provide safe and secure housing for Shahin, and another portion will be used to establish a charity in al-Fayoume's name.[15]

Reactions

The attack prompted many public statements and condemnations, including from Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker,[16] U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, the Anti-Defamation League,[1] and the Council on American–Islamic Relations. U.S. president Joe Biden also condemned the attack in a public statement.[17] They said that they felt "shocked and sickened" about the killing, saying that al-Fayoume's family "came to America seeking what we all seek—a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace." The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet in Illinois, as well as the St. Mary Immaculate Parish of Plainfield, where the accused and his wife are parishioners, also made public statements condemning the event.[18] Rabbi Rosen of Tzedek Chicago denounced the killing and expressed concern that the attack stemmed from the continued dehumanization of Palestinians and Muslims. Similar comments were echoed by a volunteer with Chicago's Jewish Voices for Peace who cautioned the continuation of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.[19]

The attack, along with other similar events, have led many Palestinian Americans and other Muslims to cancel plans, made them monitor their speech and actions, and made them concerned about their safety and that of their family members. A similar concern was seen by Jewish Americans, and security has been increased around mosques and synagogues across the country.[20]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: October 15, 2023 . Slaying of 6-year-old Muslim in Illinois connected to Israel-Hamas war . . . October 16, 2023 . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016122640/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/15/slaying-muslim-child-illinois-war-00121649 . live .
  2. News: Boyette . Chris . Allen . Keith . October 15, 2023 . Landlord charged with hate crimes after fatally stabbing a 6-year-old and wounding his mom because they were Muslim, authorities say . . October 16, 2023 . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016073621/https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/15/us/chicago-landlord-attack-muslim-boy-mother/index.html . live .
  3. News: McDonald . Maia . 22 October 2023 . Chicago religious leaders urge peace after killing of six-year-old Muslim boy . The Guardian . live . 20 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107204145/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/22/chicago-religious-leaders-six-year-old-palestinian-boywadea-al-fayoume . November 7, 2023.
  4. News: Struett . David . October 16, 2023 . Plainfield man fatally stabbed 6-year-old Muslim boy after listening to conservative talk radio, prosecutors say . . October 17, 2023 . As the war between Hamas and Israel unfolded in recent days, a Plainfield man became increasingly concerned about what he was hearing on conservative talk radio — and became agitated about the tenants living in his home, a Palestinian American mother and her young son, prosecutors said. . October 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231017000344/https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2023/10/16/23919242/jospeh-czuba-plainfield-stabbing-palestinian-boy-wadea-al-fayoume-hate-crime . live .
  5. News: Kawash . Maher . October 15, 2023 . Man targeted 6-year-old boy, woman in deadly Plainfield stabbing because they are Muslim: detectives . . live . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015195418/https://abc7chicago.com/plainfield-murder-joseph-m-czuba-stabbing-16200-s-lincoln-hwy-il/13918623/ . October 15, 2023.
  6. News: Diaz . Johnny . Johnny Diaz . Smith . Mitch . Chiarito . Robert . October 15, 2023 . 6-Year-Old Boy Fatally Stabbed in Anti-Muslim Attack, Authorities Say . . live . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015211958/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/15/us/muslim-boy-stabbed-landlord-chicago.html . October 15, 2023.
  7. News: Pérez . Adriana . October 15, 2023 . Plainfield man charged with killing boy, mother for being Muslim . . live . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205830/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-6-year-old-stabbed-plainfield-muslim-hate-crime-20231015-ijzqnex7u5ahzc4jnt5wsmyzwy-story.html . October 15, 2023.
  8. News: October 16, 2023 . Details emerge following court hearing for Illinois landlord who attacked, stabbed Muslim child, mom in hate crime . . October 17, 2023 . October 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231018040741/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/details-emerge-following-court-hearing-for-illinois-landlord-who-attacked-stabbed-muslim-child-mom-in-hate-crime/3251978/ . live .
  9. Web site: Father of slain 6-year-old Palestinian American boy files wrongful death lawsuit . 2024-03-11 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  10. News: Stefanski . Matt . Sisk . Courtney . October 15, 2023 . Boy, mother stabbed in Plainfield Twp. were targeted because of their Islamic faith: Police . . October 16, 2023 . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016074909/https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/boy-mother-stabbed-in-plainfield-twp-were-targeted-because-of-their-islamic-faith-police/3251248/ . live .
  11. October 15, 2023. Attorney General Statement on the Killing of Six-Year-Old Child Wadea Al-Fayoume and Severe Wounding of His Mother Hanaan Shahin in Illinois. United States Department of Justice. October 18, 2023. October 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231017233834/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-statement-killing-six-year-old-child-wadea-al-fayoume-and-severe-wounding. live.
  12. News: Chicago area landlord indicted for murder, hate crime in stabbing death of 6-year-old Palestinian boy. Feurer. Todd. CBS News Chicago. October 26, 2023. November 16, 2023. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110120714/https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/joseph-czuba-indicted-murder-hate-crime-wadea-al-fayoume-plainfield/. live.
  13. News: Nguyen . Thao . Father of slain 6-year-old Palestinian American boy files wrongful death lawsuit . 9 April 2024 . USA TODAY . 4 December 2024.
  14. Web site: Rose . Nouran Salahieh, Andy . October 18, 2023 . 'I am not a threat': Hundreds gather for vigil mourning 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy who was stabbed to death near Chicago . October 19, 2023 . CNN . en . October 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231019124713/https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/18/us/wadea-al-fayoume-death-wednesday/index.html . live .
  15. Web site: Rosca . Emily . October 16, 2023 . Fundraiser For Slain Plainfield Boy's Funeral Cost, Mother's Hospital Bills Established . October 19, 2023 . Plainfield, IL Patch . en . October 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231019195216/https://patch.com/illinois/plainfield/fundraiser-slain-boys-funeral-costs-mothers-hospital-bills . live .
  16. News: Frazier . Kierra . October 16, 2023 . 'Shocked and sickened': Biden condemns killing of 6-year-old Muslim boy . . October 16, 2023 . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016120155/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/16/illinois-boy-killed-biden-00121695 . live .
  17. Web site: Biden . Joe . Joe Biden . October 15, 2023 . Statement from president Joe Biden . . October 16, 2023 . October 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231016134200/https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/15/statement-from-president-joe-biden-4/ . live .
  18. News: Christian . Gina . October 17, 2023 . Illinois man who killed Palestinian boy, wounded mother is Catholic parishioner . . . October 17, 2023 . In an email to OSV News, the Diocese of Joliet, Ill., said it had confirmed [the suspect] and his wife are members of St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield. St. Mary Immaculate's pastor, Father Pat Mulcahy, told OSV News by email that 'our hearts are absolutely broken, and ache for the family and all those affected.' . October 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231018024910/https://catholicreview.org/illinois-man-who-killed-palestinian-boy-wounded-mother-is-catholic-parishioner/ . live .
  19. Web site: Malik . Neshmia . October 16, 2023 . 'Dehumanizing:' Chicago Jewish leaders on disinformation after fatal stabbing of 6yo. Palestinian boy . October 19, 2023 . . en-US . October 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231019195219/https://wgntv.com/news/dehumanizing-chicago-jewish-leaders-on-disinformation-after-fatal-stabbing-of-6yo-palestinian-boy/ . live .
  20. News: Paquette . Danielle . Wax-Thibodeaux . Emily . October 18, 2023 . Fearing blame for Gaza conflict, anxiety grows among U.S. Palestinians . en-US . . October 19, 2023 . 0190-8286.

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