John P. Shadbar, a 70-year-old resident of Illinois, has been arrested and charged with a hate crime after allegedly shooting his neighbor, a 45-year-old white mother with Black sons, in what authorities describe as a racially motivated attack. The incident, which has shocked the local community, took place outside Shadbar’s residence and was captured by nearby security cameras.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office reported that Shadbar was identified as the gunman by witnesses who saw him “walking around his property with a rifle” and shooting the victim from various locations outside. Melissa Robertson, the victim, sustained critical injuries after being shot in the chest and hand. She was rushed to the hospital for surgery and is currently recovering, according to authorities.
Robertson’s family told NBC Chicago that Shadbar had been harassing them since they moved into the neighborhood ten years ago. Mikeal Johnson, one of Robertson’s sons, recounted instances of racial slurs and threats. “He called me the n-word straight to my face,” Johnson said. “My mom made him apologize. A few days later, he comes out holding a gun in his underwear.”
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The family claimed they had reported Shadbar’s behavior to the authorities multiple times, but no action was taken. Johnson told ABC7, “We’ve called the cops. He’s thrown fireworks and he’s shot blanks. Nothing was done. And it’s very unfortunate.” Jeanne Beyer, Robertson’s aunt, added that during the most recent incident, Shadbar shouted the phrase “dead n-word” and tried to enter the family’s backyard. Robertson’s 8-year-old son witnessed the shooting.
Following the incident, Shadbar barricaded himself inside his home. Deputies were able to persuade him to surrender peacefully after a crisis mediator intervened. During the negotiation, Shadbar reportedly made several incriminating statements.
Shadbar is now facing multiple charges, including hate crime, aggravated battery with a firearm, attempted first-degree murder, and unauthorized use of a weapon by a felon. He is being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility, and additional charges are likely, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Shadbar is scheduled to appear in court on May 23. This case highlights ongoing concerns about racial violence and the importance of addressing hate crimes in communities across the country.
