- Courtney Drysdale, 30, was fatally shot during a robbery at The Line bar in Momence, Illinois, on February 2, 2026.
- The suspect, Julius E. Burkes Jr., was arrested in Indiana after being linked to the shooting through released images.
- Burkes has a history of prior arrests, including a conviction for murder when he was 15 years old.
MOMENCE, ILLINOIS — Courtney Drysdale, 30, was fatally shot at The Line bar on Route 114 on Monday, February 2, after investigators say a man entered the business with a firearm, demanded cash, and then opened fire even after she complied. Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, was later arrested in Indiana in connection with the killing.
Shooting Reported Just After 11 A.M.
Deputies responded to The Line shortly after 11 a.m. and found Drysdale inside the bar. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said she was the only person inside the business at the time of the shooting.
Robbery Demand Preceded the Killing
Authorities said the suspect entered the bar while Drysdale was going through her normal opening routine. Investigators allege he brandished a firearm and demanded money from the cash register. Sheriff’s officials said Drysdale complied, but the suspect shot her twice before fleeing.
Suspect Arrested in Indiana After Photos Released
Officials said investigators recovered additional video from the bar that captured the suspect. Images released to the public showed a man in a high-visibility jacket holding a clipboard, along with a separate image of a white BMW sedan driving away.
Authorities announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Burkes was taken into custody outside his home in Hammond, Indiana, hours after the photos were released, according to officials. Sheriff’s officials credited a multi-agency response and tips from the public for the swift arrest.
Extradition Delayed by Separate Indiana Case
After the arrest, Burkes was held in Indiana and waived extradition to Illinois. However, authorities said a pending case in Lake County, Indiana, is expected to delay his transfer after a judge ordered that the felony residential entry matter must be resolved before he is handed over on the Illinois case.
Reports stated that Burkes is accused of breaking into the Crown Point, Indiana, home of an ex-girlfriend on December 21.
Victim Remembered by Family and Community
Drysdale took over the bar in 2022 and marked its reopening on June 24 that year after renaming it The Line. The business later announced it would be closed until further notice following the killing.
Drysdale is survived by her teenage daughter and her fiancé, Neil Trudeau, according to reports.
Prior Criminal History Noted in Reports
Court records referenced in reports show Burkes has had multiple prior arrests, including cases involving battery and alleged stalking. Reporting also stated that in 1994, when he was 15, Burkes pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in a killing near Chicago and received a 37-year prison sentence, serving less than half, according to the same reports.
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