A man from Lockport Township in Illinois, accused of shooting his neighbor, appeared in court facing several charges, including attempted murder and a hate crime. John Shadbar is up against nine felony charges, with prosecutors pointing to cellphone video from witnesses that allegedly shows him shooting his neighbor. A judge has ordered that Shadbar remain in custody until his trial.
Jeanne Beyer, the aunt of the victim, Melissa Robertson, mentioned that her niece, who is 45, is still in critical but stable condition following the shooting that happened on Tuesday evening. According to authorities, Robertson was shot multiple times by Shadbar, who is 70 years old and also from Lockport Township.
“We are relieved that he’s going to stay locked up until his trial,” Beyer said. “And it seems like there’s enough evidence to convict him.”
Prosecutors noted a long history of conflict between Shadbar and Robertson, which included Shadbar using racial slurs toward Robertson’s two Black children. This hostility had reportedly been going on for years, leading up to the incident on May 7, the day of the shooting.
Mikeal Johnson, Robertson’s stepson, expressed frustration at the lack of action before the shooting, saying, “We’ve called the cops. He’s thrown fireworks, and he’s shot blanks. Nothing was done. And it’s very unfortunate.” Beyer mentioned that one of Robertson’s children, an eight-year-old boy, was home during the shooting.
“We were all shocked when it happened, but sadly, we weren’t surprised,” Beyer stated. “It’s been nine years coming.”
After the shooting, prosecutors say Robertson managed to drag herself from her yard to her kitchen, where a friend who was staying with her called 911. Following Shadbar’s arrest, authorities recovered multiple unlicensed weapons from his home. Shadbar had previously been denied a FOID (Firearm Owner’s Identification) card due to a felony battery conviction dating back to the 1970s.
Outside the courthouse, Robertson’s family expressed their frustration over the lack of prior action. “If he’s in his front yard waving a gun without a FOID card, there should be consequences,” Beyer said.
Johnson, reflecting on the situation, said, “I was on my way home from work. My little brother was home. I just wish I could have been there. Not much I could have done, but I wish I could have been there for my family when they needed me most.”
Beyer described Shadbar as terrorizing her niece’s neighborhood, randomly firing his gun into the air or into the woods, and using racial slurs. She said that this would happen regardless of whether Robertson’s children were outside playing.
Shadbar’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 23, where he has the option to appeal his detention.
