Momence, Illinois – A suspect is in custody following the fatal shooting of a Momence bar owner who was killed while opening her business earlier this week. Authorities say the arrest comes roughly a day after Courtney Drysdale, 30, was found shot inside her bar in a rural area near the Illinois–Indiana state line.
Law enforcement officials confirmed the suspect was captured in northwest Indiana and is now awaiting extradition back to Illinois, as the investigation continues into what authorities describe as a targeted robbery that turned deadly.
Incident Overview
The shooting occurred at The Line, a bar owned and operated by Courtney Drysdale, located at 17969 Illinois Route 114, just west of the Indiana border outside Momence. According to investigators, Drysdale was alone inside the bar and preparing to open for the day when the suspect entered the building.
Authorities say the suspect confronted Drysdale, demanded money, and then shot her despite her cooperation. She died at the scene from her injuries.
Timeline of Events
According to the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened at approximately 11 a.m. on Monday. Investigators say Drysdale was following her normal routine, unlocking and preparing the bar for business, when the suspect walked in posing as someone conducting legitimate business.
Within hours of the homicide, deputies launched an intensive investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and gathering witness information. On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office released images of a suspect and a vehicle believed to be connected to the crime. Roughly 26 hours after the shooting, authorities announced an arrest.
Details From Law Enforcement
The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Julis E. Burkes Jr., 47. He was taken into custody in the 6400 block of Rhode Island Avenue in Hammond, Indiana, as he was exiting his home.
“Despite her cooperation, the suspect shot her twice, execution-style, before fleeing the scene,” said Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey.
Downey added that no other individuals were inside the bar at the time of the shooting.
Investigators say the suspect attempted to remove a digital recording device from the wall before leaving the scene. However, authorities were still able to recover surveillance video that played a key role in identifying and locating him.
Key Facts in the Case
- Victim: Courtney Drysdale, 30
- Suspect: Julis E. Burkes Jr., 47
- Location: The Line bar, 17969 Illinois Route 114, near Momence
- Time of incident: Around 11 a.m., Monday
- Arrest location: Hammond, Indiana
- Time to arrest: Approximately 26 hours after the shooting
Surveillance images showed the suspect wearing a high-visibility safety jacket, carrying a clipboard, and wearing eyeglasses with facial hair at the time of the crime. Authorities say it is unclear why the suspect was dressed that way or what he claimed to be doing when he entered the bar.
Witness and Community Reaction
Friends and members of the local community described Drysdale as a compassionate and dedicated mother who was deeply connected to her customers and staff.
“It’s aggravating, upsetting, all those types of negative emotions because it’s like, how could someone do this to someone who’s literally so nice, so sweet,” said Hailey Gershon, 25, Drysdale’s best friend.
Gershon said Drysdale had owned The Line for about four years and had worked in the area’s bar scene long before that.
“The Line has customers and bartenders and barbacks — we’re all a big family,” Gershon said. “Her daughter was her whole life.”
Sheriff Downey echoed those sentiments, noting that Drysdale was well known and deeply loved by patrons, friends, and family throughout the community.
Safety and Awareness Context
Authorities are reminding business owners, particularly those who open establishments alone during daytime hours, to remain vigilant and consider additional safety measures such as panic buttons, visible surveillance systems, and staggered opening procedures.
Law enforcement officials say early-morning robberies targeting cash registers are not common in the area, making this incident especially troubling for nearby rural businesses.
Conclusion
The arrest of Julis E. Burkes Jr. has brought some relief to a grieving community, but investigators say the case remains active as extradition and formal charges move forward. The sheriff’s office confirmed the suspect is currently being held in Indiana and will be transported back to Illinois to face prosecution.
Call to Action
Authorities continue to ask anyone with additional information related to the case to contact local law enforcement. If this incident has affected your community or raised safety concerns for your business, share your experiences in the comments below.
