Illinois Resident Charged With Hate Crime After Shooting Neighbor, A Mother of Black Children

An Illinois man was arrested and charged with a hate crime after reportedly shooting his neighbour many times in what investigators believe was a racially motivated attack.

Deputies were dispatched to a location in Lockport Township at 5:37 p.m. on Tuesday after receiving reports of shots fired. The responding deputies were informed that the victim, a 45-year-old lady, had been shot by her neighbour, according to a Will County Sheriff’s Office press post on Facebook.

Witnesses identified the shooter as John P. Shadbar, who “shot the victim outside and was walking around his property with a rifle,” according to authorities. They said he shot dozens of rounds at the woman “from various outside locations.”

The incident was caught on video by security cameras in the vicinity. The sheriff’s office stated that they believed it was racially motivated. Deputies administered life-saving measures to the woman, who was sent to the hospital in critical condition. Authorities say she was wounded in the chest and hand and required surgery. The sheriff’s office confirmed that she is still healing.

Family members recognised the victim as Melissa Robertson. The family informed NBC Chicago that Shadbar has tormented them since they moved here ten years ago. Robertson is white, and her sons are black.

Mikeal Johnson, one of Robertson’s kids, told the television station that during one episode, Shadbar allegedly hurled obscenities such as “dead n-words, n-word this, n-word lover.”

“[He] called me the n-word straight to my face,” Johnson added. “My mother made him apologise. A few days later, he emerges with a gun in his pants. Shadbar also allegedly fired his gun in his yard and tossed fireworks between the residences, according to the family.

Robertson’s aunt, Jeanne Beyer, told NBC Chicago that during Tuesday’s altercation, he was chanting “dead n-word” and attempting to enter the family’s garden. Robertson’s 8-year-old kid witnessed the shooting, according to the family.

Shadbar, 70, reportedly holed himself inside his home following the shooting. According to the news release, after speaking with him on the phone, a crisis negotiator encouraged him to leave with his hands up.

Deputies claimed Shadbar made “several incriminating statements” while conversing with the crisis negotiator.

He was taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility and charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, unauthorised use of a weapon by a felon, and hate crime. The sheriff’s office stated that additional charges are expected. The family stated that they reported the alleged harassment to authorities multiple times over the years, but nothing was done. NBC News reached out to the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

“This did not have to happen at all. Johnson told NBC Chicago that it affects not only our lives, but his, his wife’s, and our neighbours as well. Shadbar appeared in court on Thursday but was denied pretrial release.