An Illinois jury has found 73-year-old Joseph Czuba guilty of murder and hate crimes in the fatal 2023 stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian American Wadee Alfayoumi. The verdict, announced on Friday, also holds Czuba accountable for the attempted murder of the child’s mother, Hanaan Shahin, who survived the brutal attack.
Tragic Attack Rooted in Hate
According to prosecutors, Czuba attacked his tenants on October 14, 2023, motivated by anti-Palestinian sentiments. Shahin testified that Czuba, angered by the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, became increasingly hostile and ultimately stabbed her and her son after she urged him to “pray for peace.”
Shahin suffered multiple stab wounds but managed to lock herself in a bathroom and call 911. During the 15-minute emergency call, her son’s screams could be heard in the background. Authorities later found DNA and blood evidence on the knife, which had been left in the boy’s body.
Courtroom Evidence and Conviction
During the trial, jurors watched police footage where Czuba admitted fearing his tenants, claiming, “I was afraid they were going to do Jihad on me.” He also made statements comparing the Palestinian Liberation Organization to Nazis and expressed resentment over not knowing Shahin was Muslim.
Czuba’s wife testified that he became increasingly withdrawn and angry after watching coverage of the Hamas-Israel war. He had asked the family to move out before the attack.
After reviewing the evidence, the jury convicted Czuba on multiple charges, including:
Three counts of first-degree murder
One count of attempted murder
Two counts of aggravated battery
Two counts of committing a hate crime
Community Response
State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid, the first Palestinian American in the Illinois Legislature, called the case “gut-wrenching” and praised the verdict.
“My heart goes out to the family of Wadee Alfayoumi today,” Rashid said. “The jury was right to find Joseph Czuba guilty on all charges, including murder and hate crimes.”
The conviction highlights growing concerns over anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate crimes in the U.S., particularly in the wake of ongoing global conflicts.
