Family and friends of slain 6-year-old Plainfield Township boy hold vigil before court hearing
Moments before the man accused of killing his 6-year-old son was due in court, Odai Al Fayoumi stood outside the Will County courthouse with supporters to honor his son’s memory.
“We will not rest until justice is served for my son,” Odai Al Fayoumi said through a translator at a vigil before Wednesday’s court hearing. “Wadee deserves nothing less than that.”
The 6-year-old boy was killed in an Oct. 14 stabbing that prosecutors say was fueled by anger over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The boy’s mother, Hanaan Shaheen, also was stabbed in the attack.
A Will County grand jury in October indicted Joseph Czuba, Shaheen’s 72-year-old landlord, of three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of hate crime for the attack.
On the day of the attack, Czuba argued with Shaheen about the Israel-Hamas conflict. When Shaheen suggested the two pray for peace, Czuba attacked her, authorities said.
Shaheen escaped to a bathroom and could hear Czuba attacking her son as she called the police for help.
“My son was a victim not only of violence but also of prejudice and hatred,” Al Fayoumi said. “He was targeted because of his faith; because he was Muslim, and that is something we must confront as a society.”
He described Wadee as a typical 6-year-old who enjoyed basketball, soccer and Legos.
“He was filled with dreams and aspirations,” Al Fayoumi said. “He carried the bright light of hope wherever he went and was always smiling.
“Let his life inspire us to reject bigotry and to embrace the diversity that makes our nation so beautiful,” he added.
In court, Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Fitzgerald noted that federal authorities have not yet turned over reports related to their own investigation into the attack. Fitzgerald said the federal investigation is ongoing, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office cannot turn over any documents at this time.
Czuba’s defense attorneys had requested federal reports from the investigation as part of their defense of their client.
Fitzgerald said he has reached out to federal authorities for the documents. He added he plans to reach out again before the next court date scheduled for March 7.
Czuba’s attorney, George Lenard, had no objections.
Will County Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak also signed an order regarding jailhouse communications, noting that any recorded communications involving Czuba be turned over to attorneys.