Illinois Man Charged With Attempted Murder and Hate Crime After Shooting White Neighbor With Black Sons
John P. Shadbar, an Illinois man who allegedly shot his neighbor numerous times in a racially motivated act, was apprehended on May 8 shortly after the incident. According to a Facebook statement from the Will County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived to a neighborhood in Lockport Township, Illinois, on May 7 at about 5:30 p.m. after receiving complaints about a 45-year-old lady who had been shot by her neighbor.
Witnesses informed police that Shadbar shot the woman outside while wandering around his property with a firearm. Witnesses said Shadbar fired multiple bullets at the woman “from different outside locations.” According to NBC News, security cameras captured footage of the shooting.
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Melissa Robertson, 45, was identified by family members and brought to the hospital in severe condition after being shot in the chest and hand. She is recovering from surgery, according to the sheriff’s office.
Robertson’s family told NBC Chicago that Shadbar, who is 70 years old, has tormented them since they moved to the area 10 years ago.
Robertson, who is white, has two black boys. Mikeal Johnson, one of Robertson’s sons, claimed Shadbar hurled insults at them, including “dead n-words, n-word this, n-word lover.” “[He] called me the n-word straight to my face,” Johnson told NBC Chicago. “My mother made him apologize. A few days later, he emerges with a gun in his underwear.
Robertson’s aunt, Jeanne Beyer, told NBC Chicago that Shadbar was chanting the “dead n-word” during Tuesday’s shooting and attempted to enter their garden.
According to police, Shadbar hid inside his house after the shooting and refused to leave until a crisis mediator forced him to do so with his hands up. Shadbar made “several incriminating statements,” according to the press release.
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Shadbar is now facing nine felony counts, including “attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, felony possession of a firearm, and a hate crime,” according to NBC Chicago. Several guns were taken from Shadbar’s residence. Shadbar was denied pretrial release following his appearance in court.
Robertson’s family has already started a GoFundMe campaign, garnering roughly $12,000 of their $75,000 target.
“She was shot in her backyard and sustained injuries to her abdomen and hand. The shot to her stomach injured her colon and spleen, as well as shattered multiple ribs (which were surgically removed). “She underwent extensive surgery and is currently on a ventilator,” the website stated. “She will also need reconstructive hand surgery.” The bullet tore off a large portion of her thumb and index finger. Normally, they would amputate, but because the thumb is so crucial, the physicians will attempt to save it.
Johnson told NBC Chicago, “She’s sedated because of the severity of her injuries. She felt a lot of discomfort.”
Robertson’s sister, Theresa Robertson-Proano, stated that she is “fighting for her life right now.”