Will County Sheriff’s Police believe the suspect arrested in the stabbing death of a child and critical wounding of his mother on October 14 was because they are Muslim.

Joseph Czuba, 71, was charged with First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, Hate Crime (2 counts), and Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. Detectives were able to determine that both victims in this brutal attack were targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis, according to a press release from the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

On October 14 at approximately 11:38 a.m., deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were sent to a residence located near the 16200 block of S. Lincoln Highway in Unincorporated Plainfield Township regarding a stabbing that occurred involving a landlord and renter.

When police personnel arrived on scene, they located the suspect, Czuba, of Plainfield sitting upright outside on the ground near the driveway of the residence. Czuba had a laceration to his forehead and was later transported to a local area hospital for treatment, Sheriff’s police said.

Deputies located two victims inside the residence in a bedroom. Both victims had multiple stab wounds to their chest, torso, and upper extremities. Both victims were transported to a local area hospital for treatment.

The 32-year-old female was transported in serious condition and had over a dozen stab wounds to her body. The female victim is recovering from her injuries at a local area hospital and is expected to survive this brutal attack.

It was initially reported to police personnel that the juvenile victim was 8 years old. That initial information was incorrect, and juvenile victim is 6 years old. The 6-year-old male was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The boy later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by a doctor.

On October 15, an autopsy was conducted on the 6-year-old victim. The forensic pathologist conducting the autopsy removed the knife from the abdomen of the boy at that time.

The 6-year-old boy was stabbed 26 times throughout his body. The knife used in this attack is a 12-inch serrated military-style knife that has a 7-inch blade.

Czuba, was treated and released from a local area hospital and was transported to the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex for questioning by detectives.

Czuba did not make any statements to detectives regarding his involvement in this heinous attack, the release said. Despite the suspect not providing a statement to detectives, personnel were able to gather enough information through interviews and evidence to formally charge Czuba with numerous criminal offenses.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance in working with detectives regarding Czuba being formally charged in this senseless and cowardly act of violence.

Czuba was transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility and is awaiting his initial court appearance.