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A manhunt concluded with the arrest of a suspect labeled as a “monster” in the tragic killing of an Illinois bar owner, who was reportedly shot in an “execution-style” manner on Monday.
Julius E. Burkes Jr., aged 47, was apprehended on Tuesday, linked to the death of 30-year-old Courtney M. Drysdale, according to the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities revealed that Drysdale was fatally shot just before noon on Monday at The Line, a bar she owned in the rural area of Momence, close to the Illinois-Indiana border.
According to WGNTV, citing sheriff’s office information, the young mother was opening her establishment when the suspect entered, wielding a firearm and demanding cash. Despite her compliance, investigators reported that the gunman still shot her twice in an “execution-style” fashion.
Courtney M. Drysdale, 30, was tragically shot while opening The Line, a bar she owned, on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, officials confirmed. (Jensen Memorial Chapel)
Detectives recovered surveillance images from the bar that showed a suspect wearing a bright yellow jacket, a hat and glasses, and driving a white BMW.
Authorities released surveillance photos of the suspect wearing a bright yellow jacket. Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, was taken into custody, pictured right, on Tuesday in connection with the murder of Drysdale. (Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department )
The suspect tried to remove a video recording device from the bar before he fled to Indiana, according to authorities.
Authorities said the suspect was seen leaving the area in a white BMW. (Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department )
Burkes was apprehended as he was leaving his residence in Hammond, Indiana, about 26 hours after the murder, the sheriff’s office said.
Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey thanked the public for supplying numerous tips, along with federal, state and local law enforcement officers who worked together to capture the suspect.
“We hope that in some way the apprehension of this monster will bring some sort of peace to Courtney’s family, friends and community,” the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities said Courtney Drydale complied with the armed suspect’s demand for money, though the suspect shot her anyway. (Facebook/Courtney Marie Drysdale)
Court records obtained by WGNTV showed that Burkes has a criminal history spanning decades, including allegedly breaking into the home of an ex-girlfriend in December. He was reportedly out on bond for that case at the time of Drysdale’s murder.
The documents showed his criminal history included a 2014 battery case to which he pleaded guilty. He was placed on 12 months of supervised release, which he completed.
In 1995, he pleaded guilty to two counts of felony murder when he was just 15 years old, the outlet reported. He was sentenced to 37 years in that case, though the outlet noted his role in the crime was unclear as records detailing the incident were not immediately available.
Burkes is being held in Indiana, where he awaits an extradition hearing back to Illinois.