Courtney Drysdale, 30, was shot and killed at her bar, The Line, on the morning of Monday, February 2, 2026. Deputies found Drysdale with fatal gunshot wounds shortly before noon when they responded to a report of a possible death at the establishment on the Illinois-Indiana state line. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say the killing occurred during a robbery. An unknown man entered the bar, brandished a firearm, and demanded money. Drysdale cooperated, but was shot twice in what the sheriff described as an execution-style killing.

Surveillance images and tips produced a rapid arrest. Around 26 hours after the shooting, 47-year-old Julius E. Burkes Jr. of Hammond, Indiana, was taken into custody while exiting his home. Burkes reportedly has a prior conviction for a 1994 double homicide and waived extradition to Illinois to face charges in Drysdale’s death.

If anyone knew Courtney, frequented The Line, or saw suspicious activity around the bar on February 2, please share what you know.