On 14 October 2023, Wadea al-Fayoum, a six-year-old Palestinian-American child, was killed when he was stabbed 26 times in his home in Plainfield, Illinois, in an event that authorities described as an anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian attack. His mother Hanaan Shahin (32 years old) was also stabbed and suffocated, resulting in serious injuries. Authorities have described the killing as a hate crime motivated by Islamophobia, anti-Palestinianism and due to watching propaganda videos in the context of 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[1][2]
Aftermath
The suspect, 71-year-old Joseph M. Czuba, has been arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and hate crimes. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.[3] Shortly after his death, a vigil for al-Fayoume was held at a local basketball court in Plainfield to mark his love for the sport.[4]
References
