Vigil Planned For Slain 6-Year-Old After Landlord Charged With Murder, Hate Crime

PLAINFIELD, IL — A vigil is planned Tuesday night in Plainfield to honor the life of 6-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, who prosecutors say was fatally stabbed Saturday morning by his landlord in his Plainfield Township home.

The boy's funeral and visitation were held Monday morning in Bridgeview, just two days after his death, a result of 26 stab wounds he took to his torso, chest and upper extremities, Patch reported.

He and his mother, 32-year-old Hanan Shaheen, were targeted by 71-year-old Joseph Czuba, of Plainfield, due to their Muslim faith and in connection to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel, according to Will County prosecutors and sheriff's deputies. Shaheen was stabbed more than a dozen times and hospitalized in critical condition.

"Having just attended the funeral of young [Wadee], I think I speak for our entire community as we are all deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy," Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis said Monday afternoon in a post on Facebook. "Young Wadea was described as a happy young boy who enjoyed soccer among other things. A typical all American boy."

RELATED: Fundraiser For Slain Boy's Funeral Costs, Mother's Hospital Bills

Read Argoudelis's full statement following Wadee's death:

I lie awake with my mind racing with a million thoughts about this unspeakable tragedy and heinous crime.

As we watch events unfold in the Middle East we witness hate being answered with hate. Killing answered with more killing and we have to ask why? Why does a conflict half a world away result in the murder of a young boy and the stabbing of his mother here in America?

We’re unable to understand how any human can be capable of such a monstrous act. Murder committed solely because of these victims’ faith.

We are the great melting pot. A great experiment in self government where all people can come, live their dreams in equality and safety. Our faith in these ideals is shaken by these horrific acts.

All of Plainfield stands together as a community and as Americans - repulsed by human evil and hate. We mourn young Wadea. We can’t fathom losing you at such a tender age.

We pray for his mother, father and family to have strength and we stand with you.

Plainfield's vigil will begin at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Prairie Activity and Recreation Center, 24450 W. Renwick Road. Argoudelis said it will "make a community statement that across the spectrum of Plainfield we categorically reject hate and bigotry."

A week later, Big Sammy's Italian Eatery plans to host its own event "to assist a family truly in need." Owners said that all sales made at both of its locations between 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25 will be directly channeled to help the family.

To help other students in the community, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 officials said they will increase the monitoring of students and staff interaction and "keep a close eye on students for any signs of emotional distress, which will be addressed and supported."

RELATED:

• Conservative Talk Radio Influenced Plainfield Child Killer: Prosecutor
• 'Sickened': Biden, Pritzker React To Hate Crime Slaying Of 6-Year-Old
• Muslim Community Responds To Plainfield Township 6-Year-Old's Killing

Editor's note: Patch published Wadee Alfayoumi and Hanan Shaheen names' based on the spelling in Will County court documents.

Update: Officials pushed the vigil's start time to 8:30 p.m., half an hour later than what was originally planned.