Plainfield, Illinois Residents in Shock After 6-Year-Old and Mother Stabbed in Anti-Muslim Attack

Residents of Plainfield, Illinois are in shock after a horrific hate crime occurred in their quiet neighborhood. On Saturday morning, 6-year-old Wadea Shahin and his mother, Hanaan Shahin, 32, were stabbed multiple times in an anti-Muslim attack.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office has charged Joseph Czuba, 71, with two counts of hate crime alongside first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. According to the Plainfield Township homicide department, the victims were targeted due to their religion and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and Israel.

Neighbors of the victims are in disbelief that such a tragedy could occur in their community. “I can’t even imagine how anybody could do that to a little child,” one neighbor said.

Wadea Shahin was pronounced dead at the scene, while his mother was taken to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition. Czuba is being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility and is expected to appear in court on Monday.

The Plainfield Township homicide department is continuing to investigate the incident and is asking anyone with information to come forward. The department is also offering counseling services to those affected by the tragedy.