Illinois man who shot neighbor reportedly taunted black sons for years with racist threats while cops did nothing

An Illinois man has been charged with a hate crime, attempted murder and other charges after he allegedly shot and killed his white neighbor in what deputies say was a racist incident.

Authorities charged 70-year-old John P. Shadbar with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, illegal use of a weapon by a felon and a hate crime.

In a Facebook post, the Will County Sheriff’s Office said he stated that Shadbar was arrested on May 7 after barricading himself in his home.

That afternoon, officers were called to 144th Place and Rickerman Road in Unincorporated Lockport Township for a shots fired criticism.

Witnesses told authorities that Shadbar fired dozens of shots with an assault rifle at his neighbor while they were outside after which began walking around his property, still armed.

911 was called to residents in the world, warning them to shelter in place. When police and emergency services arrived, they situated the victim and transported him to a close-by hospital in critical condition.

At this point, Shadbar barricaded himself in his house. After a crisis negotiator contacted him by phone, he turned himself in to authorities. According to the sheriff’s office, he made “several incriminating statements” while speaking with a negotiator.

The victim, who relations identified as 45-year-old Melissa Robertson, was shot within the chest and arm. According to deputies, she underwent surgery and is recovering from her injuries.

“She is fighting for her life now because of hate… hate” – her sister Theresa Robertson-Proano he told NBC Chicago.

Robertson’s family told NBC Chicago that Shadbar had been racially hostile towards them since they moved to the world 10 years ago.

Robertson, who is white, has two black sons. Family members said Shadbar frequently shot and threw fireworks into the yard.

“Dead N-words, N-word is, N-word lover. He called me the N-word to my face. My mom told him to apologize, but a few days later he came out with a gun in his underwear,” Mikeal Johnson, Robertson’s son, told a neighborhood outlet.

The family said they’d repeatedly called the police concerning the racist harassment to no avail. Things only got worse after the shooting.

“They would say, unfortunately, as bad and as hateful as it is, it’s free speech and there’s nothing they can do,” Johnson said. “It didn’t have to happen at all. “It affects not only our lives, but also his life, his wife’s life and our neighbors.”

“Why didn’t he face any consequences? This wasn’t a one-time thing. He’s been doing this for years,” said Robertson’s aunt, Jeanne Beyer.

Investigators seized several weapons from Shadbar’s home along with a whole bunch of rounds of ammunition. The shooting was also captured on home surveillance footage from many neighbors’ homes.

AND GoFundMe was launched to assist cover Robertson’s medical costs. As of May 13, nearly $11,000 of the $75,000 goal had been raised. Robertson’s niece, Natalie Beyer, who began the net fundraiser, said that because the story began to spread, the gunman’s wife has lost her rank as a sergeant with the Cook County Department of Corrections and is under investigation.