Grayson  Preston|Father of Palestinian American boy slain outside Chicago files wrongful death lawsuit

2025-05-07 08:04:12source:Burley Garciacategory:My

CHICAGO (AP) — The Grayson  Prestonfather of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy fatally stabbed in what authorities allege was a hate crime has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

Oday Al-Fayoume filed the lawsuit last month against the suburban Chicago landlord charged in the attack that left his child dead and the boy’s mother seriously wounded. The attack — which has renewed fears of anti-Islamic discrimination in the Chicago area’s large Palestinian community — has drawn condemnation from the White House.

Authorities allege Joseph Czuba, 71, targeted Wadea Al-Fayoume and his mother Hanaan Shahin, on Oct. 14 because of their Muslim faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas. Czuba pleaded not guilty in October to hate crime and murder charges.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed Nov. 21 in Will County names Czuba, his wife, Mary Czuba, both of Plainfield, and their property management company, Discerning Property Management.

Other news Chicago and other northern US cities scramble to house migrants with coldest weather just aheadIllinois appeals court affirms actor Jussie Smollett’s convictions and jail sentenceInheritance money in dispute after death of woman who made millions off sale of T-rex remains

Joseph Czuba allegedly told his wife to inform Shahin he wanted the family gone from the apartment where they’d lived for two years. He also allegedly said he was afraid Shahin’s “Palestinian friends were going to harm them,” according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims Mary Czuba and the management company “were indifferent and failed to recognize a threat and prevent serious bodily harm” to their tenants. A hearing is set for March 11.

“Justice comes in many forms … and there is, obviously, unbelievable loss in Wadea, but his mother also was injured seriously, and we believe that there are avenues to recover compensation for what the family’s been through,” said Ben Crane, Oday Al-Fayoume’s lawyer.

The Czubas do not yet have an attorney in the wrongful death case and Mary Czuba has filed paperwork to divorce Joseph Czuba, according to court records.

Czuba remains detained in Will County as he awaits a January hearing in the criminal case. His attorney, George Lenard, has said he won’t comment on the case outside court.

More:My

Recommend

Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids

When it comes to Blake Lively, there’s one secret her friends will always tell: how much of a devote

Single women in the U.S. own more homes than single men, study shows

Although U.S. women still trail men when it comes to pay, they are pulling ahead financially in one

Marcus Stroman buries the hatchet with GM Brian Cashman, ready for fresh start with Yankees

NEW YORK – A mutual need brought Marcus Stroman and the Yankees together, with optimism replacing an