Suburban Mother Shot by Neighbor in Alleged Hate-Fueled Incident Fighting for Her Life

Suburban Mother Shot by Neighbor in Alleged Hate-Fueled Incident

Lockport Township, IL – A suburban mother is fighting for her life after being shot by her neighbor in an alleged hate-fueled incident. John Shadbar, 70, is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder and a hate crime, after shooting his neighbor, Melissa Robertson.

Robertson’s family has reported experiencing harassment and racial slurs from Shadbar for the past 10 years since they moved to the area. The family, who are Black, has been subjected to derogatory language and threats from Shadbar, culminating in the tragic shooting.

“This did not need to happen at all. Not just our lives, but his life and his wife’s and our neighbors are all affected by it,” said Mikeal Johnson, Robertson’s son.

The shooting took place outside of Robertson’s home in Lockport Township, with her 8-year-old son witnessing the incident. Family members recounted past instances of Shadbar’s threatening behavior, including firing guns in his yard and using racial slurs.

Despite multiple calls to the police reporting Shadbar’s behavior, no action was taken. Robertson’s family expressed frustration over the lack of consequences for Shadbar’s actions over the years.

In court, prosecutors revealed that Shadbar was in possession of multiple weapons and ammunition, despite being ineligible for a FOID card due to a past felony conviction.

Robertson’s recovery is expected to be lengthy, with a fundraiser set up to assist with medical expenses. “She’s sedated due to the gravity of her injuries. She had a lot of pain,” Johnson said.

The community has rallied around Robertson and her family, with many expressing shock and outrage over the senseless act of violence. Shadbar remains in custody, denied pretrial release by a judge. The case has sparked conversations about the importance of addressing hate crimes and taking action against perpetrators of such violence.