In a shocking incident in Tinley Park, Illinois, Maher Kassem, 63, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder for shooting his wife and three adult daughters.
The terrible incident in Illinois happened on Sunday morning following a domestic dispute, shattering families and leaving communities in despair.
Maher Kassem made his first court appearance on Tuesday, where prosecutors revealed that the argument centered around money, involving the couple’s 19-year-old son as a witness to the horrific events.
The daughters Halema and Zahia Kassem, both 25, and Hanan Kassem, 24 were each shot in the head, while Majeda Kassem, 53, the mother, endured multiple gunshot wounds. The Tinley Park Mayor, Michael Glotz, expressed deep sorrow over the senseless domestic violence that claimed the lives of a mother and her three daughters.
The deceased, who were Muslims of Palestinian origin, were remembered at burial rituals held in a mosque in the Illinois community. Friends also raised money for the construction of a mosque through an online memorial campaign.
Legal Focus in Illinois
Friends and neighbors paid respects outside the family home, where flowers were arranged in the snow, reflecting on Majeda Kassem’s passion for cooking and the intelligence of the three devoted daughters.
One of the victims, Halema Kassem, was a third-year student at Chicago State University, remembered fondly by her professor, Samah Qasmieh.
In court, prosecutors emphasized the danger posed by Maher Kassem, describing him as a safety risk to his son and the public. A judge ordered his continued detention until the next court hearing on February 16, highlighting concerns about the possibility of further harm if he were to access a firearm again.
The Tinley Park police called this tragedy the deadliest shooting in the village since 2008, when five women were killed at a Lane Bryant clothing store, a case that remains unsolved.
Authorities in Illinois claim that Kassem, who was taken into custody without suffering any injuries, called the police directly and said, “I’m going to jail,” which is a statement that suggests he was involved in the shooting.
As the community grapples with this devastating loss, the case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for addressing domestic violence and its profound impact on families.
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