Midwest
Illinois bar owner killed in ‘execution-style’ shooting, suspect with decades-long criminal record in custody
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A suspect described as a “monster” was arrested following a manhunt for the killer of an Illinois bar owner who authorities say was murdered in an “execution-style” shooting Monday.
Julius E. Burkes Jr., 47, was taken into custody on Tuesday in connection with the murder of 30-year-old Courtney M. Drysdale, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department said.
Drysdale was killed just before noon Monday inside The Line, a local bar she owned in rural Momence near the Illinois-Indiana border, authorities said.
The 30-year-old mother was opening the bar when the suspect walked in, brandished a gun and demanded money, WGNTV reported, citing the sheriff’s office. Drysdale complied with the demands, but investigators said the suspect shot her two times “execution-style” anyway.
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Courtney M. Drysdale, 30, was opening The Line, a bar she owned, when the shooting happened Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, authorities said. (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.
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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.
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Burkes is being held in Indiana, where he awaits an extradition hearing back to Illinois.
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Michigan State Police say a kayaker who went missing on White River northeast of Montague and Whitehall on Sunday, June 14, has been located safe, after a three-day search.
The man, Justin Wolfiss, 44, entered the river in a kayak at Sischo Bayou around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday with a friend, but did not arrive with his friend at the end point of their trip.
Wolfiss was located safe near Pines Point, officials announced on Tuesday, June 16.
He is currently being medically evaluated, officials say.
Wolfiss and his friend were traveling downstream toward the Happy Mohawk Canoe Livery, near Diamond Point, when they were separated early in the 3- to 4-hour trip, police said.
The friend, police said, waited several hours for Wolfiss to arrive after reaching Diamond Point around 7 p.m.
“The Michigan State Police would like to thank Blue Lake Township Fire Department, Hesperia Fire Department, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, MSP Aviation, MSP K-9, partnering agencies, volunteers, and members of the public who assisted in the search effort and shared information.”
Minnesota
Severe Thunderstorms Expected Wednesday In Southern Minnesota With Large Hail And Strong Winds
UNDATED (WJON News) — A strong surface low-pressure system will move through the region on Wednesday and will be the driver of scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon/early evening hours.
Severe thunderstorms are possible across southern Minnesota, with the primary threat of large hail (~1.5″). Damaging winds and a few tornadoes are also possible.
St. Cloud has officially had 1.32 inches of rain so far in June, which is 0.53 inches below
normal.
Dry weather returns Thursday and most of Friday, but will be followed by storm chances for the first half of the weekend.
Humourous St. Cloud Sign
For over two years, the sign outside the St. Cloud Vacuum and Sewing Center has been bringing smiles to drivers on Division Street. Check out some of the creative and funny signs that have been brightening the mood of St. Cloud.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri Police are investigating a fatal shooting in the area of 58th and Wabash just after 11 p.m. Monday night.
Police say they were on patrol at 55th and Prospect when they heard gunshots to the south and 911 received calls for sound of shots near 58th and Wabash.
Officers arrived and found a man unresponsive with gunshot wounds in front a residence there.
Police say he died on the scene.
Police say their preliminary investigation indicates the victim was in front of the residence with one or more people when they heard gunshots and realized the victim was struck.
There is no information on a suspect and no one is currently in custody.
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If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
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