Chicago area man charged with hate crime in killing of Palestinian boy, 6

CHICAGO (CBS) — A Plainfield Township landlord is accused of killing a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy and stabbing that boy’s mom as a result of they have been Muslim.

Joseph Czuba, 71, now faces a number of costs, together with three counts of first-degree homicide, one rely of tried first-degree homicide, two counts of aggravated battery, and two hate crime counts. The 2 victims have been focused as a result of they have been Muslim and due to the struggle between Israel and Hamas, in line with the Will County Sheriff’s Workplace.

Throughout his first courtroom look on Monday, a Will County choose denied Czuba pretrial launch, after prosecutors argued he was a hazard to each the boy’s mom and most people.

The Justice Division has additionally opened an investigation into the case. The FBI can be now trying into federal hate crime costs. 

The boy’s mom, 32-year-old Hanaan Shahin, advised detectives that on Saturday morning, Czuba, her landlord, attacked her with a knife as she ran to the lavatory to name 911. In response to the Will County Sheriff’s Workplace, Czuba stabbed her greater than a dozen occasions and her 6-year-old son, Wadea Al-Fayoume, 26 occasions. 

Will County prosecutors stated Shahin advised police Czuba knocked on her door Saturday morning, and the 2 obtained into an argument over the struggle between Israel and Hamas. Czuba advised Shahin “he was offended at her for what was occurring in Jerusalem,” prosecutors wrote in a courtroom submitting.

When Czuba then attacked Shahin with a knife, she locked herself in a close-by rest room to get away from Czuba, however was unable to get her son into the lavatory together with her.

That is when Shahin known as 911 and reported her son was being stabbed, and he or she stated she didn’t come out of the lavatory till police arrived, in line with prosecutors.

Prosecutors stated Shahin has two different kids, who have been later discovered to be with their father in Chicago, and weren’t at dwelling on the time of the assault.

Investigators additionally questioned Czuba’s spouse, and decided he incessantly listened to speak radio, and was “closely invested” within the battle within the Center East.

Czuba’s public defender stated he was an Air Power veteran who was honorably discharged from the army, is self-employed, owns a number of properties in Plainfield, and was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Plainfield. He additionally has ongoing well being points as a result of a prognosis of prostate most cancers.

Czuba is due again in courtroom on Oct. 30.

The Council on American Islamic Relations stated Wadea had simply celebrated his birthday a few weeks in the past. 

“He was a stunning boy who liked his household, his associates. He liked soccer. He liked basketball, and he paid the value for the ambiance of hate,” CAIR Government Director Ahmed Rehab stated of how Wadea’s father described him. 

Neighbors like Eva Case noticed the crime scene Saturday evening. The grotesque particulars behind the stabbing left her in awe. 

“I do not care what the state of affairs was,” she stated. “Do not take it out on any individual that harmless of life.” 

Neighbors who stay close to Czuba stated the mom and son moved into the house 4 years in the past. Neighbors stated they saved to themselves. 

As for Czuba, neighbors known as him eccentric, and stated they have been involved at occasions about indicators in entrance of the home. Some have been political and non secular. 

“I see the person that lived there exterior gardening on a regular basis, each week. Each time I come dwelling, he is exterior,” Case stated. 

CAIR stated it simply issued a launch a number of days in the past warning about creating anti-Muslim atmospheres the place somebody might get damage. 

“He has no clue about these bigger points occurring on this planet, however he was made to pay for it,” Rehab stated of Wadea.

Relations stated the little boy’s father was at Saturday’s press convention however was too shocked to talk. CAIR stated it’s disgusted not solely by this horrible act but in addition by the exaggeration of Jihad Day. They stated they imagine if there have been no anti-Muslim narrative, this may not have occurred.

“This crime wakes up a concern inside us,” stated Wadea’s uncle, Yousef Hannon. “We’re not animals, we’re people. We wish folks to see us as people.”

Each Muslim and Jewish organizations have condemned the horrific assault, together with the Chicago Jewish Neighborhood Relations Council (JCRC) and the Anti-Defamation League. 

“It is horrific and completely unacceptable,” stated David Goldenberg with the Anti-Defamation League.

Goldenberg stated the tragedy of the Plainfield boy places a highlight on the duty information retailers, social media corporations and leaders have when utilizing their platforms.

“How folks get info and who they get that info from is basically essential,” Goldenberg stated.  

President Joe Biden launched a press release Sunday condemning the assault, saying, “As Individuals, we should come collectively and reject Islamophobia and all types of bigotry and hatred. I’ve stated repeatedly that I cannot be silent within the face of hate. We have to be unequivocal. There isn’t a place in America for hate in opposition to anybody.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker additionally launched a press release calling the assault “nothing wanting evil.” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson shared his condolences, saying, “This despicable hate crime is a shameful reminder of the harmful function Islamophobia performs in our society.”

Plainfield District 202 launched the next assertion: 

“We ship our deepest condolences to the household and our District 202 group on the devastating lack of our scholar.

Social work and grief counseling is on the market in the present day and we are going to proceed to supply help providers to our college students and workers within the coming days. Our workers will maintain an in depth eye on college students for any indicators of emotional misery which shall be addressed and supported.”

CBS 2 has realized that Wadea’s funeral will occur Monday at 1 p.m. at a mosque in Bridgeview. Mayor Johnson is anticipated to attend the funeral.