Today's Video Headlines: 02/04/26
A rural Illinois bar owner was gunned down in an “execution style” killing allegedly by a convicted murderer shortly before opening her business for the day on Monday. Courtney Drysdale, 30, was fatally shot by suspected gunman Julius E.
Burkes Jr. just after 11 a.m. as she was going about her normal routine, according to the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office. Police responded to The Line bar, located on Route 114 in Momence, Ill. at the Indiana border, where they discovered Drysdale’s lifeless body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.Courtney Drysdale, 30, was fatally shot by suspected gunman Julius E. Burkes Jr. just after 11 a.m. as she was going about her normal routine at The Line Bar in Momence, Ill. on Feb. 2, 2026.Burkes, 47, allegedly entered the bar brandishing a firearm, demanding Drysdale hand over the money inside the cash register, Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey told reporters Tuesday,“Ms. Drysdale complied with the suspect’s demands. Despite her cooperation, the suspect shot her twice, execution style, before fleeing the scene,”Savannah Guthrie's brother-in-law was the last person to see mom Nancy before she vanished“Courtney was deeply loved, not only by her family and her young daughter, but also by the many patrons and friends who lives she touched,” Downey said. “This senseless act of violence has profoundly impacted our community and we are fully committed to bringing the person responsible to justice.” Drysdale took over the bar on the state line in 2022, celebrating a reopening on June 24 of that year after renaming it “The Line.”Drysdale took over the bar on the state line in 2022, celebrating a reopening on June 24 of that year after renaming it “The Line.”Drysdale is survived by her teen daughter and her fiancé Neil Trudeau. The Line announced it would be closed until further notice following the “tragic events.” Investigators alleged Burkes tried to steal a “digital recording device” from the bar, but additional video from the establishment was recovered and captured the suspect. Footage showed the man believed to be Burkes wearing a high-visibility jacket holding a clipboard with another snap showing the same man driving away in a white BMW sedan, according to photos shared by the sheriff’s office Tuesday morning.Footage showed the man believed to be Burkes wearing a high-visibility jacket holding a clipboard with another snap showing the same man driving away in a white BMW sedan.Officials released the photos as part of a plea to the public, asking for tips leading to the arrest of the wanted gunman with a $5,000 reward. Burkes was arrested outside his home in Hammond, Illinois, hours after the photos were released, and 52 miles north of the bar.“I want to commend the community-at-large for coming together and providing quantities of tips and information that ultimately led to this swift arrest,” Downey“This type of violent behavior has no place in our society, and I am extremely appreciative of the overwhelming support we received from the public, the media as well as our partners in the criminal justice system near and far.”Drysdale is survived by her teen daughter and her fiancé Neil Trudeau. The Line announced it would be closed until further notice following the “tragic events.”Burkes was held in Indiana before he waived his extradition back to Illinois, but a pending case in Lake County will delay his move after a judge order the felony residential entry case must be resolved before he is handed over for Drysdale’s murder,Burkes has multiple arrests in previous years, including for battery and alleged stalking. In 1994, when he was 15, Burkes pleaded guilty to two counts of murder stemming from a killing on the on Chicago’s Far Side, the outlet reported.Savannah Guthrie's brother-in-law was the last person to see mom Nancy before she vanished Savannah Guthrie's desperate plea for mom's safe return 'strong signal' ransom note demand not yet legit: ex-FBI director8 celebrity book club picks to read this month from Reese Witherspoon, Jenna Bush Hager and moreMinions On Ice: Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate Granted Permission To Perform His ‘Minions’ Ice Skating Routine At 2026 Winter OlympicsCourtney Drysdale, 30, was fatally shot by suspected gunman Julius E. Burkes Jr. just after 11 a.m. as she was going about her normal routine at The Line Bar in Momence, Ill. on Feb. 2, 2026.Drysdale took over the bar on the state line in 2022, celebrating a reopening on June 24 of that year after renaming it"The Line."Footage showed the man believed to be Burkes wearing a high-visibility jacket holding a clipboard with another snap showing the same man driving away in a white BMW sedan.Drysdale is survived by her teen daughter and her fiancé Neil Trudeau. The Line announced it would be closed until further notice following the"tragic events."
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