CHICAGO — A 71-year-old Illinois man accused of fatally stabbing a 6-year-old boy and seriously wounding a 32-year-old woman was charged with a hate crime Sunday. FBI officials, along with Jewish and Muslim groups, have reported an increase of hateful and threatening rhetoric. Joseph M. Czuba of Plainfield was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of hate crimes and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office and county public defender’s office did not immediately return messages about Czuba’s legal representation. The Muslim civil liberties organization called the crime “our worst nightmare,” and part of a disturbing spike in hate calls and emails since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 16, 2023 01:50 UTC