Killing of Wadea al-Fayoume

Killing of Wadea al-Fayoume
On October 14, 2023, Wadea al-Fayoume, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy, was killed when he was stabbed 26 times in his home in Plainfield Township, Illinois, in what authorities said was an anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate crime. His mother, Hanaan Shahin, was also stabbed and choked, leaving her critically injured. Authorities said the killing was an extremist reaction to the contemporaneous 2023 Israel–Hamas war, a part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
The suspect, a 71-year-old man who was Shahin's landlord, was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and hate crimes. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Killing
According to the Will County Sheriff's Office, around 11:38 a.m. on October 14, 2023, the landlord of 32-year-old Hanaan Shahin knocked on the door to her home. After Shahin answered the door, her landlord allegedly attempted to choke her and stabbed her while yelling "You Muslims must die." Shahin scratched him then ran to the bathroom and called 9-1-1. When she came out, she found al-Fayoume with multiple stab wounds. Al-Fayoume and Shahin were transported to the hospital, where al-Fayoume was pronounced dead and Shahih was treated in critical condition. Her landlord was arrested outside the home once police arrived at the scene.
Accused
Authorities stated that the attack was motivated by anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian extremism following the escalation in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in October 2023.
At a hearing on October 16, the accused's wife said that her husband "regularly listens to conservative talk radio and was very interested in current events". He was afraid that a "national day of jihad" would happen on October 13, and that his tenants would call Palestinian friends to come and harm him and his wife. He also withdrew $1,000 from the bank in case "the grid" would go down.
Shaheen told detectives that the accused came to her door on October 14, angry with her about what was happening in Jerusalem. After she responded "let's give peace a chance", he attacked her with a knife.
Legal proceedings
Prosecutors have charged the suspect with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and two counts of committing hate crimes. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. On October 15, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland and the United States Department of Justice opened a federal hate crime investigation into the attack.
Aftermath
A vigil to al-Fayoume was held shortly after his death, with hundreds of people gathering in Plainfield at a local basketball court to mark his love for the sport. His father spoke to the crowd calling his son an "All-American boy" who was always smiling and full of love, with other friends and family members speaking. The highest-ranking Muslim in the Biden administration, Dilawar Syed, was also in attendance and spoke on behalf of the President.
A fundraiser was created through Launch Good, to help cover funeral and medical expenses for al-Fayoume and his mother. A portion of the fundraiser would be sectioned off to provide safe and secure housing for Shaheen, with another being earmarked for creating a continuous charity in al-Fayoume's name.
Reactions
The attack prompted many public statements and condemning from public officials and organizations, including from Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Council on American–Islamic Relations. U.S. President Joe Biden also condemned the attack in a public statement:
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet in Illinois, as well as the St. Mary Immaculate Parish of Plainfield, where the accused and his wife are parishioners, also made public statements condemning the event. Rabbi Rosen of Tzedek Chicago denounced the killing, and expressed concern that the attack stemmed from the continued dehumanization of Palestinians and Muslims. Similar comments were echoed by a volunteer with Chicago's Jewish Voices for Peace who cautioned the continuation of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
The attack, and other events have led many Palestinian Americans and other Muslims to cancel plans, monitor their speech and actions, become more vigilant with the safety of themselves and family members, and have become afraid to express concern for loved ones trapped in Gaza. Similar concern was seen by Jewish Americans, and security has been increased around mosques and synagogues across the country.
See also
Mark Anthony Stroman
Murder of Balbir Singh Sodhi
Islamophobia in the United States
References
2023 in Illinois
2020s crimes in Illinois
October 2023 crimes in the United States
Stabbing attacks in 2023
Anti-Muslim violence in the United States
Anti-Palestinian sentiment in the United States
Arab-American history
Deaths by person in Illinois
Deaths by stabbing in Illinois
Incidents of violence against boys
Incidents of violence against women
Reactions to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
Plainfield, Illinois