MOMENCE, IL — A Momence bar owner was shot twice execution-style in a robbery just as she was opening the business late Monday morning, authorities said Tuesday.
The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to The Line bar in rural Momence, near the Illinois-Indiana state line along Illinois Route 114, just before noon Monday. Courtney Drysdale, 30, was found and pronounced dead at the scene. Her death was ruled a homicide, based on evidence gathered during a preliminary investigation, the sheriff’s office said Monday evening.
Authorities in a press conference on Tuesday said Drysdale was opening the bar Monday, when an unknown man walked in and demanded money. Drysdale complied, but the man shot her anyway.
On Tuesday, authorities released images of a person and vehicle of interest in the incident. The images were obtained after the man tried to remove what he believed to be a recording device from the wall. Kankakee County CrimeStoppers is offering a $5,000 cash reward to anyone who can help authorities identify the person or vehicle. The hotline can be reached at (815)93-CRIME, or 815-932-7463. Callers can remain anonymous.
Anyone with information can contact the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department at (815)802-7150.
Drysdale had been a longtime bartender at the business before becoming the owner, ABC7 reported. She was engaged, with a school-aged daughter.
“I mean it, she was probably the nicest person. I could always go to her for anything,” Drysdale’s friend and coworker Hailey Gershon told ABC7. “She would literally give up the whole world for somebody and would always be there for everybody, even if she was upset or going through things. She would push those aside for others and, like, make sure they were happy.”
The bar shared on social media Monday evening that it is closed until further notice.
Police said the man was last seen heading east toward Indiana, in a white, four-door BMW sedan with a sunroof and distinctive dark rims.
“… Courtney was deeply loved, not only by her family and young daughter, but also by the many patrons and friends whose lives she touched,” said Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey. “This senseless act of violence has profoundly impacted our community, and we are fully committed to bringing the person responsible to justice.”