The Kankakee County Sheriff has released images of a man and a car as part of an investigation into the murder of a bar owner on Monday morning in rural Momence.
Sheriff Mike Downey says the 30-year-old woman was shot during a robbery.
He called the crime “a devastating and horrific event.”
It happened at a bar called The Line, on Route 114 near the Illinois-Indiana border just after 11 a.m.
Downey said the suspect was caught on Surveillance video.
“The owner of the establishment, 30-year-old Courtney M. Drysdale, was preparing to open the business and going about her normal routine when the suspect brandished a firearm and demanded money from the cash register,” Downey said during a press conference. “Ms. Drysdale complied with the suspect’s demands. Despite her cooperation, the suspect shot her twice, execution style, before fleeing the scene.”
Downey said he tried to remove a digital recording device from a wall before leaving.
The photos that were released show the man’s face.
He was wearing a hat and sunglasses. He was driving a white 4-door BMW sedan with dark rims.
The car was last seen heading east, toward Indiana.
“This senseless act of violence has profoundly impacted our community and we are fully committed to bringing the person responsible to justice,” Downey said. “I urge anyone who may have information about this crime or recognizes the individual or the vehicle described to contact the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office.” The number is 815-802-7150.
Downey said tips can be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 815-932-7463.
There’s a reward of $5,000 for tips leading to the identity and apprehension of the man.
There have been tributes to Drysdale on social media, the Sheriff noted.
“Many of you have seen on social media and throughout the community, Courtney was deeply loved, not only by her family and her young daughter, but also by the many patrons and friends whose lives she touched.”