Authorities say 6-year-old victim was stabbed 26 times with 12-inch military-style knife
Pro-Palestinian protesters move through Washington, D.C.
Pro-Palestinian protesters are seen moving through Washington, D.C. on Saturday afternoon. (Credit: Jon Raasch/Fox News)
A Plainfield, Illinois man faces serious charges, including murder, after he allegedly killed a 6-year-old boy by stabbing him 26 times, and seriously wounded the child’s mother by stabbing her more than a dozen times, over their faith as Muslims.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were dispatched to a home in Plainfield Township at about 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, in response to a stabbing between a landlord and a renter.
When deputies arrived, they found 71-year-old Joseph M. Czuba sitting on the ground near the driveway with a laceration on his forehead.
President Biden responded to the attack late Sunday evening saying, the "horrific act of hate has no place in America."
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Joseph M. Czuba booking photo (Will County Sheriffs Office)
Biden's statement continued: "Jill and I were shocked and sickened to learn of the brutal murder of a six-year-old child and the attempted murder of the child’s mother in their home yesterday in Illinois. The child’s Palestinian Muslim family came to America seeking what we all seek—a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace."
And, "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. 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," Biden also said. "We join everyone here at the White House in sending our condolences and prayers to the family, including for the mother’s recovery, and to the broader Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim American communities."
Authorities said deputies found two victims suffering from multiple stab wounds all over their bodies inside a bedroom of the home.
All three individuals were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for their wounds.
Authorities said one of the victims, a 32-year-old woman, was in serious condition and had more than a dozen stab wounds to her body. She is expected to survive the heinous attack.
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Illinois State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid said in a Facebook post that he was devastated by the news of the murder of a 6-year-old boy who was stabbed 26 times in Plainfield, Illinois on Oct. 14, 2023. (Illinois State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid - Facebook)
The other victim, a 6-year-old boy, was in critical condition and later died of his injuries.
An autopsy was conducted on the boy on Sunday, during which time the forensic specialist removed the knife from the abdomen of the 6-year-old’s body.
Authorities said the 6-year-old victim was stabbed 26 times with the 12-inch serrated military-style knife.
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Four people have been found dead at a home in northwest Harris County, Texas. (iStock)
Czuba was taken into custody after being treated at the hospital.
During questioning, the sheriff’s office said, Czuba did not make any statements pertaining to the attack.
Still, detectives were able to collect enough information through interviews and evidence to charge him with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hate crime and one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Detectives determined during the investigation that both victims were allegedly attacked because they were Muslim, amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel.
Czuba was taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility and held pending his initial court appearance.
Illinois State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid posted to Facebook that he was devastated by the news that a 6-year-old boy was stabbed 26 times.
"Let’s not sugarcoat it: this hate crime is a result of the dehumanizing, one-sided media coverage of Palestinians and irresponsible statements from elected officials," the representative posted. "The rampant dehumanizing of Palestinians has now led to this horrific murder."
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
