Plainfield, IL — May 2, 2025
Joseph Czuba, a 73-year-old landlord from Illinois, was sentenced Friday to 53 years in prison for the brutal killing of 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy Wadee Alfayoumi and the attempted murder of his mother, Hanan Shaheen. The court found the attack was motivated by religious hate tied to their Muslim faith.
The incident took place in October 2023 at Czuba’s home in Plainfield, a suburb about 40 miles southwest of Chicago, where the victims had been living as tenants. Authorities said Czuba became enraged over the Israel-Gaza conflict and targeted the family because of their religion.
Prosecutors revealed that Czuba forced his way into the home and stabbed Shaheen more than a dozen times before turning on the boy, stabbing him 26 times. Wadee died from his injuries, while Shaheen survived and later gave emotional testimony during the trial.
During sentencing in a Will County courtroom, Czuba—wearing a red jail jumpsuit—declined to address the court. The jury had convicted him in February after less than 90 minutes of deliberation on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and hate crimes.
Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak imposed the maximum penalties: 30 years for the murder, 20 years for attempted murder, and 3 years for the hate crime, to be served consecutively.
The murder drew national attention, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action against Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian sentiment in the United States.
“This sentence will not bring Wadee back,” said Mahmoud Yousef, the boy’s great uncle, in court. “But we hope it sends a message that hate will not go unpunished.”
Wadee Alfayoumi had just celebrated his sixth birthday weeks before the attack. Community members described him as joyful and full of life, with a love for soccer and school.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) praised the verdict but emphasized the need for ongoing education and policy changes to combat anti-Muslim violence.
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