An Illinois man, Joseph Czuba, was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and hate crimes in the killing of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy, Wadee Alfayoumi, and the stabbing of his mother, Hanan Shaheen, in a hate-fueled attack in suburban Chicago in October 2023. The attack was allegedly motivated by anti-Muslim hate and a response to the Israel-Hamas War.
Shaheen testified that Czuba attacked her and her son after becoming outraged about the war between Israel and Hamas, making hateful statements about Muslims and Palestinians. Czuba forced his way into Shaheen’s room, holding her down and stabbing her, before turning his attention to Wadee, who was killed in the attack. Shaheen was able to call 911, and first responders found a knife still lodged in Wadee’s body.
Czuba did not testify at his trial, but prosecutors argued that he became obsessed with the war in the Middle East and viewed Shaheen and her son as a threat. Czuba’s ex-wife testified that he had become paranoid about their safety after the war began.
Defense attorneys suggested that Shaheen may have framed Czuba and questioned the evidence at the scene, while the prosecution argued that the suggestion was ridiculous. Czuba was found guilty, and Shaheen has filed a wrongful death suit against him and his ex-wife.
The attack on Shaheen and her son drew international attention and left many in the Muslim and Palestinian communities frightened. The trial, which included graphic evidence, lasted just over an hour before the jury’s decision was reached.
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