Palestinian-American Boy Fatally Stabbed By Landlord In Hate Crime

Joseph Czuba, a 71-year-old from Plainfield, Illinois, is facing hate crime and murder charges in connection with his tenant's death.  He allegedly stabbed a 6-year-old boy and a 32-year-old woman of Palestinian Muslim descent based on their ethnicity and religion.  According to the Will County Sheriff's Office, the victims were attacked as a result of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. Czuba is facing charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes and aggravated battery.  The victims were discovered with multiple stab wounds, and the boy, Wadea al-Fayoume, died as a result of sustaining 26 stab wounds.  Al-Fayoume's mother, Hanaan Shahin, sustained serious injuries but is expected to survive.  In a statement, President Biden condemned the attack and called for unity against Islamophobia and bigotry.  "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," said President Biden in a statement.