White Illinois Man Charged in Racially Motivated Shooting of Neighbor

A racially motivated shooting in Lockport Township has left a woman fighting for her life and a 70-year-old man facing serious criminal charges. Melissa Robertson, 45, was shot multiple times by her neighbor, John Shadbar, in what police are calling a hate crime.

According to authorities, the feud between the two neighbors escalated due to the presence of Robertson’s two Black sons. Witnesses reported that Shadbar fired numerous rounds at Robertson with an assault-style rifle, leaving her critically injured with gunshot wounds to her chest and hand. She is currently recovering from surgery in the hospital.

The situation took a dangerous turn when Shadbar barricaded himself inside his home, prompting a crisis negotiator to intervene. Robertson’s family revealed that they had been enduring racial harassment from Shadbar for nearly a decade, with incidents of racial slurs and threatening behavior.

Shadbar has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and a hate crime. Despite his denial of pretrial release by a county judge, the community is left shaken by the violent and racially charged nature of the incident.

Robertson’s family expressed their frustration with the lack of action taken by authorities despite their numerous reports of harassment. The shocking events have shed light on the ongoing issue of racial tensions and discrimination in the neighborhood, leaving many questioning how such hatred could lead to such a tragic outcome.