Illinois Man Sentenced to 53 Years for Stabbing Palestinian-American Child

Joseph Czuba received a 53-year prison sentence for murdering six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and injuring his mother in a hate-motivated attack, raising fears of ongoing Islamophobia.

An Illinois man has been sentenced to 53 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy, Wadee Alfayoumi, and the severe wounding of his mother, Hanan Shaheen. Joseph Czuba, 73, was convicted in February on charges of murder and hate crimes, motivated by the family’s Muslim faith. The incident occurred shortly after the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war in 2023, with Czuba targeting the family who had been renting from him in Plainfield, located about 40 miles from Chicago.

During sentencing, Wadee's great uncle, Mahmoud Yousef, emphasized that no punishment could alleviate the pain of the loss, stating, "No sentence will bring him back." Hanan Shaheen recounted the horrific event that left her son dead and herself severely injured. She testified that Czuba had made explicit threats against her due to her religion, telling her that "as a Muslim, you must die."

The brutal nature of the attack saw Czuba stab Shaheen over a dozen times and her son 26 times. Following the attack, he was found outside the home with blood on his clothes. The case has gained national attention, reigniting discussions around rising Islamophobia, anti-Muslim sentiment, and prejudice against Palestinians. Wadee’s death, just weeks after his sixth birthday, has evoked a deep sense of loss in the community, with tributes highlighting his love for life, soccer, and friends.