In October 2023, Joseph Czuba was found guilty of a hate crime and murder after fatally stabbing 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, a Palestinian American boy, and wounding his mother, Hanan Shaheen, in Illinois. This brutal attack occurred shortly after the outbreak of war in Gaza, with Czuba insisting they leave his property due to their Muslim faith. Key evidence included Shaheen's testimony, who recounted Czuba's violent assault and his declaration that Muslims must die, alongside 911 call recordings and police footage. The crime shocked the local community, prompting fears of anti-Muslim violence, and led to a federal hate crimes investigation. As Czuba awaited sentencing, which could range from 20 years to life in prison, the incident spurred community support for the victims and legal actions from the boy’s family, highlighting broader issues of religious discrimination and violence.

Joseph Czuba, a 73-year-old Illinois landlord, was convicted in February 2023 for the murder of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and the attempted murder of his mother, Hanan Shaheen, stemming from a hate crime incident influenced by rising tensions due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The attack took place in Czuba's home in Plainfield, Illinois, where Shaheen and her son had been renting; Czuba, agitated by the war, demanded they leave because they were Muslim, ultimately leading to a violent confrontation.

Key testimony from Shaheen described Czuba's attack, where he expressed his intent to kill Muslims, corroborated by 911 recordings and police video evidence presented during the trial.

Czuba's wife, Mary, testified that her husband had become increasingly disturbed by the geopolitical conflict, which prosecutors argued as a motive for the violent act against the Palestinian American family.

The jury reached a guilty verdict within 90 minutes, and Czuba faces a potential sentence of 20 to 60 years or life in prison, though Illinois law precludes the death penalty.

The incident had a profound impact on the local community, particularly the Palestinian residents, prompting fear and sorrow, while also leading to the dedication of a park playground in Wadee's memory.

In response to the tragedy, the US Department of Justice launched a federal hate crimes investigation, and separate lawsuits were filed by Wadee's father, highlighting the broader implications of the crime on anti-Muslim sentiment in the region.