Joseph Czuba faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two hate crime charges, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, the Will County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office was cited saying by CNN.
In response to the incident, the US Justice Department has initiated a federal hate crime investigation, as confirmed by US Attorney General Merrick Garland.
While Czuba did not provide a statement to investigators, law enforcement determined that the victims were "targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim” and the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
The affected family is Palestinian, having sought refuge in the United States to live, learn, and pray in peace, as stated by the White House.
The tragic incident unfolded in unincorporated Plainfield Township, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago. Authorities were summoned shortly before noon on a Saturday after a woman called 911, reporting that her landlord had attacked her.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered Czuba near the home's driveway while the two victims, each bearing multiple stab wounds, were found in a bedroom. Both victims were promptly taken to the hospital.
Tragically, the 6-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries after being stabbed 26 times, as confirmed by the sheriff's office. In contrast, the 32-year-old woman, who sustained over a dozen stab wounds, is currently recovering at the hospital and is expected to survive.
The victims were identified as Hanaan Shahin and her son, Wadea Al-Fayoume, by the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
The family had resided in the ground floor of the house for two years without significant issues with Czuba, according to CAIR. However, the mother reported in text messages to the boy's father from the hospital that the landlord had knocked on their door, attempted to choke her, and subsequently attacked her with a knife while yelling, "you Muslims must die."
Wadea, who had recently celebrated his birthday, was described as a vibrant and loving 6-year-old boy who cherished life and his family, according to Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago's executive director. Rehab lamented that the child, who had no understanding of the larger global issues, had to pay such a heavy price.
The boy's parents had moved to the United States from the West Bank, and they were looking forward to a peaceful and prosperous life for their family.
In a statement, CAIR National expressed its shock and concern about the boy's tragic death, calling for an end to Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Palestinian racism perpetuated by various sources.
Joseph M. Czuba has been transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility and is awaiting his initial court appearance. His legal representation, if any, is currently unknown.
The incident occurred while Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza has left parents scrambling to keep their kids alive and look after their mental health through what they describe as the fiercest aggression in years.
After Israel cut off the electricity in Gaza last Monday, residents live in the dark amid dwindling fuel supplies, which are needed to operate generators. Many parents use what limited internet access they have to seek advice for comforting their children on platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp support groups.
In the meantime, US President Joe Biden has offered staunch support for Israel and refused to criticize Israel for its siege and bombardment of the Gaza Strip even as UN officials have warned of a humanitarian crisis there.