'Lack Of Evidence' In Lockport Area Calls Of Fireworks, Shots: Sheriff

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP, IL — Days after they say 70-year-old John Shadbar shot and critically injured his neighbor in unincorporated Lockport, Will County Sheriff's Officials released photos from the investigation and clarified previous calls for service related to Shadbar and the neighbor.

Shadbar appeared in court on Thursday for his arraignment, and was officially charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, hate crime, criminal damage to property, aggravated discharged of a firearm, no FOID card and three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, after the May 7 incident left a 45-year-old woman seriously injured, according to the Will County Sheriff's Office.

The 45-year-old neighbor was shot in the stomach and the hand. She remains in critical condition at the hospital.

Shadbar was denied pre-trial release, and remains at the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

On Friday, the Will County Sheriff's Office offered several clarifications, including that the incident occurred in Homer Township in unincorporated Lockport; not in Lockport Township, as they previously reported.

The sheriff's office said Shadbar was arrested for a felony in 1979, and his FOID card was revoked at that time.

A search warrant has been conducted at Shadbar's home after prosecutors previously said his wife declined to allow a search, and five weapons were located inside a wall. The five weapons included two AK-47 style rifles, a shotgun and two handguns, the sheriff's office said. One of the AK-47 rifles is believed to be the weapon used in the shooting.

Previous Police Calls

"Many media articles have been published regarding numerous Sheriff’s calls for service concerning disputes between the victim and Shadbar. We would like to clarify this information," the sheriff's office said.

Police said they did not receive any neighbor complaint calls in 2022 or 2023 for the victim's home or Shadbar's home. This year, police said they responded to a "few calls" to the victim's home "that were minor, non-related issues and were resolved on scene."

Police said there were three total calls from the victim related to Shadbar.

In March, the neighbor called twice about Shadbar; the first call was about Shadbar "acting very agitated and yelling at the victim and her children." The sheriff's office said deputies responded and "resolved the issue."

The second call was about Shadbar shooting fireworks, and possibly a gun, over the victim's backyard fence. The victim stated that she had ongoing issues with Shadbar. The sheriff's office said deputies spoke with Shadbar, conducted an initial investigation, and "due to lack of evidence no arrest was made at that time."

The third complaint call was regarding the shooting on May 7, the sheriff's office said.

Shadbar will next appear in court on May 23.