State police warn of future attacks after 6-year-old Plainfield boy murdered over Gaza conflict

[October 17, 2023]  By Andrew Hensel | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois State Police are urging the public to be alert for more potential attacks after a 6-year-old child from Plainfield was laid to rest Monday at a Mosque in Bridgeview. The boy and his mother, both Muslims, were allegedly attacked after the sneak attack on Israel by the Islamic terrorist group Hamas.

Wadea Al-Fayoume, was stabbed 26 times and died from his injuries. His mother was stabbed 12 times and is in critical condition but expected to survive.

Joseph Czuba, 71 years old, and the family's landlord, was arrested for the attack and has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of committing a hate crime.

Sheikh Jamal Said spoke about Wadea during the service on Monday afternoon and said the child is one of many casualties suffered in this conflict.

"Wadea is a child, and he is not the only one under attack," Said said. "There are millions of children being slaughtered, literally, in the Holy Land."

The boy's father was in attendance at the service but did not speak. However, others have spoken out about the attack on Wadea and his mother.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker released a statement condemning the attacks.

Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6 - Photo credit: CAIR

"To take a six-year-old child's life in the name of bigotry is nothing short of evil. Wadea should be heading to school in the morning. Instead, his parents will wake up without their son. This wasn't just a murder. It was a hate crime. And every single Illinoisan, including our Muslim, Jewish, and Palestinian neighbors, deserves to live free from the threat of such evil," Pritzker said. "Today, MK and I join our Muslim and Palestinian brothers and sisters in mourning this tragic loss and praying for the recovery of Wadea's mother. May Wadea Al-Fayoume's memory be a blessing."

The attack came after the attack on Israel by the Hamas terrorist group last week.

Illinois State Police are urging the public to be alert for more attacks.

Everyone in Illinois, both law enforcement and community members alike, must remain on guard against both terrorism and hate crimes during this period of volatility," ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "If you see something, say something before it's too late."

President Joe Biden released a statement on Monday regarding the murder.

"This horrific act of hate has no place in America and stands against our fundamental values: freedom from fear for how we pray, what we believe, and who we are," Biden said. "As Americans, we must come together and reject Islamophobia and all forms of bigotry and hatred. I have said repeatedly that I will not be silent in the face of hate. We must be unequivocal. There is no place in America for hate against anyone."

Czuba was in a Will County Courtroom on Monday and said that he fully understands the charges against him.