Hatred Exposed – He’s Locked Away! 

An Illinois landlord will spend more than five decades behind bars for the brutal murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in a hate crime that shocked the nation.

At a Glance 

  • Joseph Czuba, 73, was sentenced to 53 years in prison for stabbing Wadee Alfayoumi to death and attempting to murder the boy’s mother
  • The attack occurred shortly after the October 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict began, with Czuba becoming agitated about world events
  • The sentence includes 30 years for first-degree murder, 20 years for attempted murder, and 3 years for hate crime charges
  • The jury found the murder “exceptionally brutal” and indicative of “wanton cruelty”
  • A federal hate crimes investigation continues, alongside civil lawsuits filed over the boy’s death

The Attack and Its Aftermath

On October 14, 2023, Hanan Shaheen made a frantic 911 call reporting that her landlord, Joseph Czuba, was attacking her child with a knife. Police arrived at the scene to find 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi with multiple stab wounds and a knife still lodged in his torso. His mother had also suffered more than a dozen stab wounds but managed to escape and lock herself in a bathroom. The boy later died from his injuries while Shaheen required weeks to recover.

Prior to the attack, the family had rented rooms in Czuba’s home for two years without incident. However, witness testimony revealed that Czuba had become increasingly agitated about the Hamas-Israel conflict that erupted in October 2023. According to court documents, he had asked Shaheen to move out because of her Muslim faith and made threatening statements about her religion. 

The Trial and Sentencing

After a five-day jury trial, Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak sentenced Czuba to 53 years in prison. The sentence breaks down to 30 years for first-degree murder, 20 years for attempted first-degree murder, and 3 years for hate crime charges. Prosecutors presented evidence including testimony from Shaheen, recordings of the 911 call, and graphic crime scene photos. Czuba’s wife, Mary, testified that her husband had become increasingly concerned about the Israel-Hamas war. 

“There is no sentence that can be imposed to bring justice for the heinous actions Czuba took on October 14, 2023. The cruelty of this morally reprehensible killer and the impact of his violent conduct on this innocent child and mother is truly unfathomable,” said James Glasgow.

During the trial, jurors heard that Shaheen recalled Czuba saying “You, as a Muslim, must die” during the attack. The jury ultimately determined that the murder was exceptionally brutal and demonstrated wanton cruelty, factors that influenced the severity of the sentence. At 73, the 53-year sentence effectively ensures Czuba will spend the remainder of his life in prison. 

Community Impact and Response

The murder sent shockwaves through Plainfield, Illinois, which has a significant Palestinian community. Wadee’s funeral drew large crowds, and a park playground in Plainfield has since been dedicated in his honor. The Council on American Islamic Relations Chicago supported the sentence, emphasizing that the boy was targeted specifically for being Muslim and Palestinian.

“No sentence can restore what was taken, but today’s outcome delivers a necessary measure of justice. Wadee was an innocent child. He was targeted because of who he was—Muslim, Palestinian, and loved,” said Ahmed Rehab.

Mahmoud Yousef, the boy’s great-uncle, stated that no sentence would be sufficient for such a crime. He emphasized the need for Americans to understand Muslims before passing judgment, noting the family had lived peacefully in Czuba’s home for two years before international events apparently triggered his violent actions. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a federal hate crimes investigation, and civil lawsuits have been filed related to the boy’s death. 

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