A landlord was sentenced to prison for decades after attacking a Palestinian American boy, leading to the boy’s mother’s death.
Joseph Chuba received a 53-year prison sentence just three months ago for the attack. He was convicted of murder for the death of Wadi Alfayomi and for injuring his mother, Hanan Shaheen. The incident, classified as a hate crime, occurred in February.
At 73 years old, Chuba targeted the family in October 2023, allegedly due to their Islamic faith and the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Chuba died on Thursday while in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to a statement from the Will County Sheriff’s Office.
“The deceased murderer is gone, but the hatred persists,” said Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago office of the Council on America and Islamic Relations.
Evidence presented during the trial included harrowing testimony from Shaheen, her urgent 911 call, as well as disturbing photos and police videos from the crime scene. The jury didn’t deliberate for long—less than 90 minutes—before reaching a verdict.
The family had been renting a room in Chuba’s home in Plainfield, located about 40 miles from Chicago, at the time of the attack.
According to Shaheen, Chuba initially assaulted her before turning his attention to her son, suggesting they should leave because of their Muslim identity.
Prosecutors played the 911 call and showcased police footage, and even Chuba’s ex-wife, Mary, expressed her frustration about the ongoing violence in the Middle East during her testimony.
Chuba’s brutal actions included pulling a knife from a sheath and stabbing the boy 26 times, leaving the weapon in the child’s body.
Some images from the crime scene were so graphic that the judge decided to restrict viewing them from the audience.
This violent attack has heightened concerns about anti-Muslim sentiment, especially in suburban areas where Palestinian communities reside. Wadi’s funeral drew a large number of attendees, and local officials have since dedicated a park playground in his memory.
