Prisoner who fatally stabbed 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in Illinois dies behind bars.

An Illinois man, Joseph Czuba, aged 73, has passed away in prison while serving a 53-year sentence for the murder of six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, a Palestinian American boy. Czuba’s death occurred on Thursday, and the Will County Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed the cause. In February 2023, Czuba was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and committing hate crimes, following the fatal stabbing of Wadee and the serious injury of his mother, Hanan Shaheen, just days after Hamas’s terrorist attacks on October 7.

Authorities indicated that Czuba targeted the family due to their Muslim identity amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Czuba inflicted 26 stab wounds on the young boy and injured Shaheen with 12 stab wounds. They had been renting a room in Czuba’s home in Plainfield Township, a suburb of Chicago.

Shaheen testified that leading up to the attack, Czuba expressed hostility towards her family, stating that “your people” were responsible for violence against Jewish individuals. Despite sharing living spaces for nearly two years with Czuba, this altercation marked a violent turning point. On the day of the assault, Shaheen recounted how Czuba forced his way into her room and violently attacked her while her son was present.

During the attack, Czuba cruelly told Wadee that he would “take care of [him]” while continuing to stab his mother. Shaheen managed to escape and call 911 as she heard her son being harmed. The loss has left a profound impact on Wadee’s family.

His father, Oday Al Fayoume, expressed that Czuba’s death does not bring him solace, stating, “My son is gone. Justice is having my son back.” He criticized the length of Czuba’s imprisonment, indicating that such actions may embolden further violence against Palestinians in the U.S. The tragic killing has resonated nationally, drawing widespread condemnation, including from then-President Biden and Vice President Harris, who emphasized the need for peace and tolerance.