The tranquility of Lockport Township was shattered by a racially motivated shooting, leaving residents reeling from the shock. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, saw John P. Shadbar allegedly opening fire on his neighbor, Melissa Robertson, in what authorities are characterizing as a hate crime.

Deputies responded swiftly to reports of gunfire around 5:37 p.m., arriving at the scene to find Robertson, a 45-year-old woman, critically wounded. Witnesses recounted a harrowing scene, describing Shadbar brandishing a rifle and firing multiple rounds at Robertson from various vantage points around his property.

Security cameras in the area captured the chilling moments of the shooting, providing irrefutable evidence of the racially motivated nature of the attack. Despite the assailant’s attempts to evade justice by barricading himself inside his residence, law enforcement eventually persuaded him to surrender, uncovering damning statements during the negotiation process.

“The shooting was captured on video from security cameras in the area. The sheriff’s office said they believe it was racially motivated,” stated a spokesperson from the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim, Melissa Robertson, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, having sustained gunshot wounds to her chest and hand. Family members disclosed a long history of harassment by Shadbar, spanning a decade, marked by racial slurs and threats directed at Robertson and her Black sons.

“[He] called me the n-word straight to my face,” recounted Mikeal Johnson, one of Robertson’s sons. “My mom made him apologize. A few days later he comes out holding a gun in his underwear,” he added.

Following his arrest, he was swiftly transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility, facing a slew of serious charges including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and a hate crime. Authorities have indicated that additional charges may follow as the investigation progresses.

The incident has unearthed a disturbing narrative of longstanding harassment endured by the victim’s family at the hands of the accused. Despite multiple attempts to seek intervention from authorities over the years, the family’s grievances went unanswered, leaving them vulnerable to escalating threats and hostility.

“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,” expressed Mikeal Johnson, one of the victim’s sons, in a statement to NBC Chicago, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the tragedy.

Shadbar’s appearance in court on Thursday saw him denied pretrial release, underscoring the gravity of the charges against him and the determination of the legal system to pursue justice for the victims.

As the case unfolds, the community remains vigilant in its support of the affected family, rallying behind them in solidarity during this challenging time.

Credit: NBC News