The fatal shooting of a young Illinois bar owner has prompted widespread attention across state lines, culminating in the arrest of a suspect less than two days after the crime. Courtney Drysdale, 30, was shot and killed Monday morning while preparing to open her bar, The Line, in a rural area outside Momence, Illinois, just west of the Illinois-Indiana border.
Authorities allege that the killing occurred during a robbery attempt and was captured on surveillance video that investigators later recovered. The suspect, identified by the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office as Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, was taken into custody Tuesday morning in Hammond, Indiana, following a coordinated multi-agency effort. He is currently being held in Indiana while awaiting extradition to Illinois, where formal charges are expected to be filed.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the circumstances of the crime, the speed of the investigation, and the impact of Drysdale’s death on her family, friends, and the close-knit community surrounding the bar. Law enforcement officials have described the shooting as deliberate and particularly violent, emphasizing the role of public tips and interagency cooperation in bringing the suspect into custody.
The Shooting Inside The Line Bar
According to the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Monday at The Line, located at 17969 Illinois Route 114. Drysdale was alone inside the establishment at the time, carrying out her normal routine as she prepared to open for business. Sheriff Mike Downey stated that a man entered the bar, brandished a firearm, and demanded money from the cash register.
Investigators say Drysdale complied with the suspect’s demands. Despite her cooperation, authorities allege that the suspect shot her twice at close range. Sheriff Downey later described the killing during a press conference as being carried out “execution style,” underscoring the severity and intentional nature of the act. Drysdale was found dead inside the bar, and no other individuals were present during the incident.
Before fleeing the scene, the suspect allegedly attempted to remove what he believed was a digital recording device from the wall. That effort was unsuccessful, and investigators were able to recover video evidence from the bar. According to the sheriff’s office, this footage became a critical component of the investigation, helping authorities identify the suspect and track his movements after the shooting.
Surveillance images later released by law enforcement showed a man wearing a high-visibility safety jacket, eyeglasses, and facial hair. In the images, he was also seen holding a clipboard, an unusual detail that investigators noted publicly while asking for assistance from the community. The suspect was additionally observed leaving the scene with a firearm. Authorities also released images of a vehicle believed to be connected to the homicide, described as a white four-door BMW sedan with a sunroof and distinctive dark roof rails.
A 30-year-old bar owner, Courtney M. Drysdale, was fatally shot inside her rural Illinois bar on February 2, 2026. Authorities say she was killed execution-style despite complying during a robbery. 🕯️🤍
— 🇺🇸Lady Vet (@CoVet_81) February 5, 2026
This has got to stop. Our communities deserve safety, and those responsible… pic.twitter.com/aTY6CoRj3E
The rural location of the bar, combined with the timing of the shooting, meant there were no immediate eyewitnesses. As a result, investigators relied heavily on video evidence, forensic work, and information provided by the public to piece together the events and identify a suspect.
Investigation and Arrest Across State Lines
Within hours of the shooting, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office launched a large-scale investigation, working alongside multiple local, state, and federal agencies. These included the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, and police departments in neighboring jurisdictions, including Hammond, Indiana.
Images of the suspect and the vehicle were shared publicly on Monday as investigators sought tips from anyone who might recognize the individual or the car. Sheriff Downey later credited the volume of tips and information from the public as playing a key role in advancing the case quickly.
Approximately 26 hours after Courtney Drysdale was killed, law enforcement located and arrested Julius E. Burkes Jr. in Hammond, Indiana. Authorities said Burkes was taken into custody Tuesday morning in the 6400 block of Rhode Island Avenue as he was exiting his residence. The arrest was described as quick and peaceful, with no reported injuries or resistance.
Following the arrest, Sheriff Downey issued a statement expressing appreciation for the coordinated efforts that led to Burkes’ capture. He emphasized both the interagency cooperation and the role of the community in providing information. Downey noted that such collaboration was essential in bringing the investigation to a swift conclusion and ensuring the suspect was located without further violence.
Burkes is currently being held in Indiana. Officials have confirmed that he is awaiting extradition to Illinois, where prosecutors are expected to pursue charges related to the fatal shooting and robbery. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the specific charges or a potential court timeline, but the sheriff’s office has indicated that more information will be provided once Burkes is transferred to Illinois custody.
Law enforcement officials have also stated that the investigation remains active, particularly as prosecutors prepare their case. However, they have emphasized that there is no indication at this time that additional suspects were involved in the crime.
Community Impact and Remembering Courtney Drysdale
The death of Courtney Drysdale has had a profound impact on those who knew her and on the broader community surrounding The Line. Friends, patrons, and fellow bar staff have described Drysdale as compassionate, kind, and deeply dedicated to her family and her work. She had taken over ownership of the bar approximately four years ago and was well known in the area, having worked as a bartender locally for years before becoming an owner.
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Hailey Gershon, Drysdale’s best friend, spoke publicly about the loss, describing it as both devastating and difficult to comprehend. Gershon said Drysdale was “so nice” and “so sweet,” adding that her friend cared deeply about the people in her life. According to Gershon, Drysdale was particularly devoted to her daughter, whom she described as the center of Drysdale’s world.
Gershon also noted that Drysdale’s death has affected not only her family but also the wider network of people connected to the bar. She described The Line as more than a business, characterizing it as a close-knit family of customers, bartenders, and barbacks who shared strong bonds built over years. Other local business owners in the area have reportedly felt the impact as well, given Drysdale’s longstanding presence in the community.
Sheriff Downey echoed these sentiments during public statements, saying that Drysdale was deeply loved by her family, friends, and patrons. He emphasized that the loss extended beyond immediate relatives, affecting an entire community that had come to know and respect her.
News of Burkes’ arrest brought a sense of relief to those close to Drysdale, including Gershon, who said it helped ease some of the uncertainty surrounding the case. While questions remain about the legal process ahead, authorities have indicated that the swift arrest was intended to provide reassurance to the public and prevent further harm.
As the case moves forward, attention is expected to shift toward the judicial proceedings in Illinois, where Burkes will face charges once extradited. For the community around Momence and those connected to The Line, the focus remains on mourning Drysdale’s death and grappling with the sudden loss of a young business owner whose life was cut short inside her own establishment.