A man in Illinois is accused of stabbing a 6-year-old boy and injuring his mother in a targeted attack believed to be a hate crime motivated by the events unfolding in the Israel–Hamas war, authorities said on Oct. 16.
Mr. Czuba allegedly stabbed the boy 26 times using a 12-inch serrated military-style knife with a seven-inch blade. The boy’s mother, 32, was also stabbed “over a dozen” times, according to authorities.
Both victims were taken to the hospital, but the boy succumbed to his injuries. The mother is recovering from her wounds and is expected to survive.
Mr. Czuba didn’t make any statements to detectives, but authorities said they gathered enough information through interviews and evidence to charge him with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of committing a hate crime, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
‘Horrific Act of Hate’
President Joe Biden said he was shocked by the incident, noting that the victims were Palestinians who came to the United States “seeking what we all seek—a refuge to live, learn, and pray in peace.”“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.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to call on all politicians, media outlets, and social media platforms to stop spreading “Islamophobic rhetoric and anti-Palestinian racism.”
Mr. Wray didn’t provide details of any alleged threats, nor did he specify whether his department is taking or has taken any action against them.
But he did warn against antisemitism in his comments, without mention of the discrimination risks facing Muslims by people who conflate all Muslims with Islamist-motivated terrorism.
“Whether that be from foreign terrorist organizations or those inspired by them or domestic violent extremists motivated by their own racial animus, the targeting of a community because of their faith is completely unacceptable,” Mr. Wray said.
“We remain committed to continue confronting those threats—both here in the United States and overseas.”
The Israeli government earlier advised its citizens living overseas to not get involved in local protests or demonstrations and urged them to check with local security forces regarding possible protests and disturbances in their area.
