A 30-year-old Illinois bar owner who fully complied with a robber’s demands was still executed in cold blood, a senseless murder that underscores the failure of soft-on-crime policies to protect law-abiding Americans in their own businesses.
Story Snapshot
- Courtney Drysdale, owner of The Line bar near Momence, Illinois, was shot execution-style during a Monday morning robbery despite giving the gunman cash from the register
- Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, was arrested within 26 hours in Hammond, Indiana, following a swift multi-agency operation aided by surveillance footage and public tips
- The suspect attempted to remove recording equipment before fleeing, but investigators recovered critical video evidence that led to his identification
- The beloved mother and community figure’s murder has devastated the tight-knit rural community and highlighted vulnerabilities facing small business owners
Execution-Style Murder of Compliant Victim
Courtney Drysdale opened The Line bar for business around 11 a.m. in rural Momence, Illinois, never anticipating it would be her last day alive. A gunman entered the establishment, brandishing a firearm and demanding money from the register.
Drysdale complied immediately, handing over cash without resistance. Despite her full cooperation, the suspect shot her twice execution-style, demonstrating a callousness that defies comprehension.
This wasn’t about robbery—it was murder, plain and simple, highlighting the reality that compliance offers no guarantee of safety when confronting violent criminals.
'Justice for Courtney': #NWIndiana man arrested for 'execution-style' murder of Kankakee County bar owner. https://t.co/JR1cxIh2S1 pic.twitter.com/JJQzm5jOy6
— Eric Horng (@EricHorngABC7) February 4, 2026
Swift Law Enforcement Response Across State Lines
Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey led an aggressive investigation that spanned state lines and involved multiple agencies, including the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Hammond Police Department.
After the suspect attempted to remove wall-mounted recording equipment, investigators successfully recovered surveillance footage showing a man in a high-visibility jacket, glasses, facial hair, and a baseball cap carrying a clipboard—a disguise suggesting premeditation.
Within hours, authorities released photos of the suspect and vehicle descriptions, offering a five-thousand-dollar reward. Public tips flooded in, and by Tuesday afternoon, just 26 hours after the murder, law enforcement arrested Burkes as he exited a residence in Hammond, Indiana.
Community Devastated by Senseless Violence
Drysdale had owned The Line for four years after working as a longtime bartender in the Momence area, building what patrons described as a “big family” of staff, owners, and customers. Friends remembered her as deeply loved, compassionate, and devoted to her daughter.
The bar closed indefinitely following her murder, with candles placed outside in her memory. Friend and fellow bartender Hailey Gershon expressed the community’s anguish, questioning how someone could commit such a heartless act against someone so kind.
Sheriff Downey condemned the violence, stating it has “no place in our society,” reflecting frustration with criminal behavior that shatters small-town safety and trust.
The suspect’s decision to murder Drysdale despite receiving the money he demanded reveals a disturbing reality about violent criminals who prey on defenseless business owners.
This execution-style killing stripped a young daughter of her mother and a community of a cherished member, all while the victim did everything right by complying with the gunman’s demands. Burkes waived extradition and remains in custody pending transfer to Illinois to face murder charges, though no trial date has been set.
The investigation continues as authorities review footage to determine whether the suspect had previously visited the establishment, seeking answers to why this premeditated violence occurred.
Implications for Rural Business Security
This tragedy exposes the vulnerabilities facing small business owners, particularly those operating alone in rural areas near state borders where criminals can quickly flee across jurisdictional lines.
The suspect’s apparent premeditation—evidenced by his disguise and attempt to destroy surveillance equipment—suggests calculated targeting rather than opportunistic crime. Law enforcement’s emphasis on recovered video footage despite tampering attempts underscores the critical importance of robust security systems for small businesses.
As communities process this loss, the incident may prompt bar owners and other solo operators to implement enhanced security measures. However, no system can fully protect against the kind of senseless violence that took Drysdale’s life while she simply tried to earn a living and serve her community.
Sources:
Man arrested in fatal shooting of Illinois bar owner – ABC News
Owner of bar near Momence, Illinois shot, killed during robbery – CBS Chicago
Investigators searching for suspect in killing, robbery of bar owner – KSRO
