Killer of 6-Year-Old Palestinian-American Boy Convicted, Sentenced to 53 Years
Chicago, USA — In the U.S. state of Illinois, 73-year-old Joseph Czuba has been sentenced to 53 years in prison for the brutal murder of 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy Wadea Al-Fayoumi. The attack occurred in October 2023 and has been classified as an Islamophobic hate crime, rooted in tensions linked to the Israel-Gaza war.
The Killing and the Attack: A Harrowing Account
Wadea was stabbed 26 times, and a 15-centimeter (6-inch) military-style knife was recovered from his body. Czuba, the family’s landlord at the time, carried out the attack just a week after the outbreak of the Gaza conflict. Wadea’s mother, Hanaan Shahin, was also severely injured and required emergency medical attention.
A Hate-Fueled Assault
During the court proceedings, Czuba’s ex-wife Mary Czuba and survivor Hanaan Shahin testified that the attacker deliberately targeted the Muslim family due to anger over the conflict in Gaza. Prosecutors labeled it a religion- and race-based hate crime, underscoring rising Islamophobia in the U.S.
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
The jury took just over an hour to find Czuba guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and two hate crime charges.
Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak handed down the following sentences:
- 30 years – for the murder of Wadea
- 20 years – for the attempted murder of Hanaan Shahin
- 3 years – for the hate crimes
All sentences are to run consecutively, making a total of 53 years in prison.
A Family Devastated
This heartbreaking case has shaken the Muslim and Palestinian communities across the U.S. It highlights the disturbing reality of how global conflicts can spill over into local communities, with innocent families bearing the consequences of distant wars and widespread prejudice.