A man has killed a six-year-old boy and seriously injured the child’s mother, both Palestinians, in a knife attack on the outskirts of the city of Chicago, United States, in what is being investigated as a hate crime because the suspect attacked them for being Muslims, according to local authorities.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office indicated this Sunday that the attacker, identified as Joseph Czuba, 71 years old, committed the crime the day before against his tenants. This Sunday has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, hate crime — two counts — and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

“Detectives have determined that both victims of this brutal attack have been targeted by the suspect due to their being Muslims and the ongoing conflict between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel,” reads a statement.

The attacker, who has been questioned by detectives, has not made any statements about his involvement in the attack, but there is enough evidence to incriminate him, so he has been detained and is awaiting his initial court appearance.

The woman, The child’s mother is hospitalized in serious condition with more than a dozen stab wounds. For his part, the minor arrived at the hospital in critical condition with more than twenty stab wounds, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Biden condemns Islamophobia

The American president, Joe Biden, and the first lady, Jill Biden, have condemned Islamophobia after the murder of the minor and have indicated that “This horrible act of hate has no place in the United States,” since it goes against its fundamental values ​​that include freedom of prayer.

“Jill and I are shocked and sickened to learn of the brutal murder of a six-year-old boy and the attempted murder of the boy’s mother yesterday in her Illinois home. The boy’s Palestinian Muslim family came to the United States in search of what that we all seek: a refuge to live, learn and pray in peace,” reads a statement from the White House.

Biden, who has sent his condolences to the family and the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim American communitieshas invited the population to unite “and reject Islamophobia and all forms of intolerance and hatred.

“I have said time and time again that I will not remain silent in the face of hate. We must be unequivocal. There is no place in the United States for hate against anyone,” the president stressed.