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Summary: Courtney M. Drysdale, 30, was fatally shot during an attempted robbery at her tavern in Momence, Illinois, on February 2, 2026. Authorities say the assailant, Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, entered the establishment armed, demanded cash, and fired despite her compliance. He fled but was arrested in Indiana the next day. The community mourns the devoted mother and business owner, with charges pending, reports say.
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MOMENCE, Ill. (DailyKenn.com) — Authorities Arrest Suspect in Slaying of Local Bar Owner During Robbery Attempt
Authorities in Kankakee County have captured a suspect accused of fatally shooting a 30-year-old bar owner during a midday robbery at her establishment near the Illinois-Indiana border, bringing a measure of solace to a grieving community just days after the crime.
Courtney M. Drysdale, a Momence resident and proprietor of The Line tavern on Illinois Route 114, was alone preparing to open for business shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday when a man entered the premises, according to sheriff's officials. The intruder, armed with a handgun, immediately confronted Drysdale and ordered her to hand over cash from the register. She complied without resistance, but the assailant fired two shots at close range in what investigators described as an execution-style attack. The gunman then tried unsuccessfully to disable a surveillance camera before fleeing eastward toward Indiana in a white BMW sedan. Deputies arrived at the scene minutes later, around noon, after receiving reports of an unresponsive person, and pronounced Drysdale dead on site from gunshot wounds.
An autopsy conducted the following day confirmed the manner of death as homicide, prompting a rapid escalation in the probe. Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey held a news briefing on Tuesday, releasing security images of the suspect—depicted as a man in eyeglasses, a high-visibility jacket, and carrying a clipboard—and his vehicle to the public. A $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest, which spurred numerous tips from residents.
By Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement tracked the suspect to a residence in Hammond, Indiana, about 30 miles from the crime scene. Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, was apprehended without incident as he stepped outside his home, authorities said. He appeared in an Indiana court on Wednesday morning and waived extradition to Illinois, though a judge noted he remains detained there pending resolution of an unrelated local charge, with a hearing set for Feb. 26. Formal charges in Illinois, expected to include first-degree murder and armed robbery, are forthcoming once he is transferred, according to prosecutors.
Friends and associates of Drysdale, who had owned the bar for about four years after starting as a bartender, recalled her as a devoted mother and compassionate figure in the tight-knit rural area. Hailey Gershon, a close friend and employee at The Line, said Drysdale always put others first and cherished time with her school-age daughter and fiancé. "She was the kind of person who'd drop everything to help anyone," Gershon told reporters, adding that the sudden violence left her grappling with profound sorrow and questions about the motive. No one else was present during the holdup, but surveillance footage captured the sequence of events, aiding the swift identification.
The arrest, occurring roughly 26 hours after the shooting, elicited widespread relief among locals. Sheriff Downey credited the community's outpouring of leads and cooperation from agencies like the FBI and U.S. Marshals for the quick resolution, emphasizing that such acts of brutality erode societal bonds. Patrons left a candle vigil outside the now-shuttered bar, where a social media post announced an indefinite closure amid the tragedy. Drysdale, born in Oak Lawn and remembered for her warmth, leaves behind family members who have requested privacy as they plan services.
The incident has heightened awareness of safety in isolated businesses along the state line, with some nearby owners reviewing security measures. Investigators continue to examine Burkes' background and any potential prior connection to the area, though none has been confirmed.
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