Joseph Czuba was arrested on October 14, in Illinois after he attacked and stabbed his tenants with a knife. The assault resulted in the death of a six-year-old boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, who was stabbed 26 times. The 71-year-old landlord attended a court hearing Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to investigations and court statements, Wadea and his mother were targeted by Joseph for being Muslim. Prior to the attack, the accused had confronted his tenant, Shanin about the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict. Czuba expressed his anger at Shanin over what was going on in Israel. Moments after Shanin responded that they should pray for peace, Czuba attacked her, stabbing her more than a dozen times.
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The man was swiftly arrested after Shanin managed to escape to the bathroom to call the police. Unfortunately, Czuba had already gotten to Wadea and stabbed him 26 times. Wadea lost his life approximately 30 minutes after authorities arrived on site. Joseph was apprehended and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Wadea and his family had been tenants of Joseph for two years without any issues or wrangles. The family moved from their ancestral village in the West Bank over nine years ago and gave birth to Wadea in the United States. Wadea’s father, Oday Al-Fayoume attended the court hearing on Monday. During his son’s vigil, Oday addressed the mass in Arabic and reminisced how his child had just celebrated his sixth birthday a week before his death.
When found guilty, Czuba will receive a maximum of life in prison sentence. The incident, which occurred over a fortnight ago has been strongly condemned by politicians, religious figures, and communities at large. Hamas’s attack on Israel and Israel’s continued airstrike on Gaza has created a ripple effect that is trickling beyond Middle Eastern borders.
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Wadea Al-Fayoume was mourned in a peaceful vigil that attracted hundreds of people. As the case of his death continues, it is hoped that Joseph Czuba will be brought to full justice. Additionally, a call for peace and unity has been made for Palestinians, Muslima, and Jews residing outside the walls of Gaza and Israel.
