Police warn of 'elevated' threats after Muslim boy fatally stabbed, violent social media responses

The Illinois State Police is warning about an "elevated level of threats of violence and hate crimes" following the Hamas invasion of Israel, after an Illinois man, reportedly motivated by the conflict, fatally stabbed a 6-year-old Muslim boy, sparking online threats and anger. 

The Justice Department on Sunday opened a hate crime investigation into the fatal stabbing of Wadea Al-Fayoume and the severe wounding of his mother, Hanaan Shahin, after their 71-year-old landlord, Joseph Czuba, was arrested on Saturday for allegedly carrying out the attack in their Plainfield apartment.

"As the Israeli-Hamas conflict continues, the Illinois State Police (ISP) continues coordinating statewide law enforcement communications and activity in response to the elevated level of threats of violence and hate crimes related to the current conflict," state police said Sunday. "At this time, there is no actionable intelligence regarding any credible mass threats in Illinois."

Hamas shared photos of the child and the suspect on Telegram and described the incident as the "martyrdom" of the 6-year-old "after he and his mother were stabbed by a hateful Jew."

There is no indication that Czuba was Jewish.

Outside of the Hamas Telegram channels, other threats were made by users online who did not appear to be affiliated with the jihadist group.

"DEATH TO ONE FOR ONE MUSLIM," a user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in a post that seemingly called for the death of one Jew in response to the death of a Muslim. 

"We need justice for phalastine [sic] people or Muslim will start revenge and  target Jews wherever they are," another user said. 

Others used the incident to justify Hamas's invasion of Israel, which resulted in the murders of reportedly more than 1,400 Israelis and at least 29 U.S. citizens as well as women, children and the elderly. 

"Is there anyone who doubts the legitimacy of Hamas’ war against the Jews?" one user said, as translated.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.