Nearly two years ago, Melissa Robertson was enjoying a spring day in her backyard when her neighbor shot her in what police and court documents say was a racially motivated attack.

Robertson suffered damage to her abdomen and hands. The shot to her stomach damaged her colon and spleen and shattered several ribs.

In the nearly two years since the shooting, she has undergone 21 surgeries and procedures and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. A former home health care provider, she has been unable to return to work.

But her faith has never wavered.

“I have zero doubt in my faith and that gives me so much comfort going forward,” Robertson said. “Some people are pure evil. I am not going to let that ruin us. At the end of this, we will put a smile on our faces.”

Her neighbor, John Shadbar, 72, of Lockport Township was sentenced Jan. 28 to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted firs-degree murder and hate crime charges for the shooting.

Robertson said she is pleased Shadbar will likely spend the rest of his natural life in prison.

“I”m perfectly happy for the time he received,” she said. “For him it’s a death sentence at his age.”

Robertson said while this chapter is over, she tells her story in hopes that it won’t happen to another family.

Court documents show Shadbar, who is white, yelled several derogatory racist and sexist slurs at his neighbors and had regularly harassed the family, including firing blank rounds toward Robertson’s home and throwing an M-80 type of firework over the fence into her yard.

Robertson and a friend were watching their children jump on a trampoline May 7, 2024, when Shadbar began loudly revving his motorcycle engine.

Robertson responded by blowing an air horn. According to court documents, Shadbar became agitated and threatened to kill the family, using a racist slur in his threats, presumably directed at Robertson’s sons who are Black. An adult son was not home at the time.

The children, who were playing on the trampoline, were brought inside after the verbal threats.

Neighbors told police they recorded the incident with cellphones and saw Shadbar shooting multiple times into Robertson’s backyard.

After Robertson was shot, she crawled back into her house where she was noted as conscious, but unable to speak and groaning in pain, court documents said. A friend called 911, and she was taken to Silver Cross Hospital, court documents said.

Robertson has been dealing with pain since the attack. She has complications due to scar tissue. Her left hand is still numb. When she gets stomach pains, she sees the doctor because it could potentially be a sign of a larger issue. Chores, such as grocery shopping, have been difficult.

“It’s taken a toll mentally,” she said. “In one day, my ability to work, take care of my son myself, was taken away from me in an instant. This has changed my whole life.”

Melissa Robertson with her son Amar. She said the two enjoy making people laugh and putting smiles on others people’s faces. (Family photo)

Her son Amar, who was 7 at the time, was taken inside and did not see the shooting, but was affected.

When the two of them hear fireworks or a loud noise, it can stop their whole day, Robertson said.

Robertson said her main job is to ensure her son feels safe. She said his school has been tremendous and has shown love and support.

“I don’t understand racism at all,” Robertson said. “(Amar) has seen unfortunately at a young age there is racism in this world and processes it as best as he can.”

Most importantly, Robertson said, “he does not feel there is anything wrong with the color of his skin.”

She said her son, now 9, does not believe most people are like Shadbar.

Will County Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak sentenced Shadbar to 20 years in prison for the attempted murder charge and three years for the hate crime charge, to be served concurrently.

He will receive credit for 631 days spent in jail, according to the Will County state’s attorney’s office.

Robertson said she hopes Shadbar regrets the attack.

“To see that racism is heartbreaking,” she said. “Even on our worse days, we try to see the positives. I’ve had a great life before. This stopped life as we knew it. It’s all about … how you get through it.”

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/06/lockport-resident-recalls-racial-shooting/