A man accused of fatally shooting a bar owner in Momence, Illinois, is now facing federal charges.
Julius Burkes, a 47-year-old resident of Hammond, made his initial court appearance regarding these new charges on Friday.
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The charges against him include murder and obstruction of commerce by robbery.
According to investigators, Burkes allegedly shot and killed Courtney Drysdale at her bar back in February.
In the same month, Kankakee County prosecutors charged Burkes with murder and armed robbery.
Authorities have indicated that the murder seemed to be a targeted act.
Burkes pleaded not guilty to the Kankakee County charges and demanded a trial by jury.
Prosecutors said Burkes walked into the Line Bar, demanded money and shot the 30-year-old mother twice in the head.
According to court records, the two once worked together at the bar, when it was owned by someone else.
Burkes was allegedly fired for stealing money from the cash register, which Drysdale reported to the owners.
Burkes was on bond for a previous charge at the time of the shooting.
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-Momence bar owner reported suspect in her death for previous alleged theft: Kankakee Co. prosecutors
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