A tragic act of hate that shook the country has now resulted in justice, though not nearly enough for the grieving family. Joseph Czuba, a 73-year-old Illinois landlord, was sentenced to 53 years in prison for the brutal stabbing death of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and the attempted murder of the boy’s mother, Hanaan Shaheen.
The hate crime occurred just days after the Israel-Hamas war broke out in October 2023 and has left a permanent mark on the community and the nation.
What Happened in the Attack?
On October 14, 2023, authorities found Wadee and his mother stabbed multiple times inside their rented room in Plainfield, Illinois, about 40 miles from Chicago. The boy had been stabbed 26 times with a military-style knife and died shortly after. His mother survived more than a dozen wounds.
According to prosecutors, Czuba had grown angry and fearful over the Middle East conflict, reportedly fueled by anti-Muslim rhetoric on conservative talk radio. He had told Shaheen to move out and, on the day of the attack, became violent after a conversation about the war.
Shaheen had suggested they pray for peace. Instead, Czuba forced his way into her room, stabbed her, and then turned on her young son.
When police arrived, they found the knife still lodged in Wadee’s body.
What Led to the Violence?
Czuba was not only convicted of first-degree murder, but also attempted murder and committing a hate crime. According to court documents, he believed Shaheen and her son were dangerous simply because they were Muslim and Palestinian.
His ex-wife, who later testified against him, said Czuba was consumed with fear and had spoken about his belief that Palestinian relatives would come to harm him. She filed for divorce after the arrest.
Prosecutors also alleged Czuba had been radicalized by anti-Muslim speech on the radio. The family’s attorney, Johnny Simon, said this raises the question of whether public figures and media personalities who spread hate speech could also be held responsible in such cases.
The Sentence and Reaction
On May 2, 2025, Czuba was handed a 53-year sentence. He did not speak during the sentencing hearing, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Outside the courtroom, Wadee’s grandfather, Mahmoud Yousef, said no sentence would ever make up for what was taken. “He took a life. He took a future,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what the numbers are.”
National and Local Response
The case sparked a federal hate crime investigation led by the Justice Department. It drew strong condemnation from across the country. President Joe Biden called the attack “shocking” and condemned it the day after it occurred.
In October 2024, on the one-year anniversary of the boy’s death, Biden honored Wadee again.
In September 2024, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution recognizing Wadee and condemning hate crimes, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and anti-Arab discrimination.
Wadee’s funeral drew hundreds, including many from one of the largest Palestinian communities in the U.S., which is based in northeastern Illinois. In February, the city of Plainfield dedicated a playground to the young boy, ensuring his memory will live on.