Marine Veteran Sent Heartbreaking Text to Loved Ones After Being Fatally Shot at Facebook Marketplace Meetup

A decorated U.S. Marine veteran was shot and killed at his Missouri home during what he believed was a legitimate Facebook Marketplace sale of an iPhone. In the last moments of his life, he called 911 and texted his family a final goodbye.

Michael Ryan Burke, 42, was shot at his home in Columbia on Sunday, Jan. 18, while trying to sell his iPhone, the Columbia Police Department said in a statement.

The alleged robbery-turned-homicide unfolded around 8:15 p.m., when Columbia Police responded to reports of shots fired on Ridgemont Court. Officers found Burke inside the home suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

After he was shot, Burke called 911 and told the dispatcher that someone had come to his home to buy a phone and then shot him, according to a probable cause statement. During the call, he was able to provide a description of the people police believe were involved.

While waiting for officers and an ambulance, Burke also messaged his mother and sister, writing, “I’m dying and I love you,” his longtime friend Jerry Reifeiss told KRCG13.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, police arrested three 18-year-olds and one juvenile male in connection with Burke’s death.

Alexis Baumann, 18, Kobe Aust, 18, Joseph Crane, 18, and an unidentified juvenile male are charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and first-degree burglary, according to Columbia police. Crane and the juvenile also face additional charges of unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action, police said.

Investigators allege the group had been targeting iPhone sellers through Facebook Marketplace in the days leading up to the shooting. According to a probable cause statement, the four suspects are accused of stealing iPhones from other sellers in the two days before Burke was killed.

In one reported incident, a victim said her phone was taken and a gun was pointed at her. Investigators later determined the stolen device was sold at a Walmart ecoATM shortly after the robbery. Authorities allege Baumann and Aust were captured on surveillance footage at the machine, and video also showed all four suspects arriving together in the same vehicle.

That pattern allegedly continued on Sunday, Jan. 18, when police were called to what was described as a “gunshot murder” in the 1400 block of Ridgemont Ct., according to the probable cause statement. Officers found Burke with multiple gunshot wounds.

During the investigation, detectives reviewed Burke’s Facebook messages on his phone and saw communications with someone arranging to buy his iPhone 15 Pro, valued at about $585. In the messages, Burke provided his address. At around 8:10 p.m., the buyer messaged him: “I’m here.”

Reifeiss told KRCG13 that Burke was a military hero who took part in dangerous missions as a decorated Marine. He said Burke’s final messages to his mother and sister were consistent with the kind of person he was.

“That was just Ryan,” Reifeiss told the outlet. “He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt. He didn’t want to go on to the next life and pass away without providing some information to us here that would bring justice to these people and let people know he always loves them.”

Baumann, Aust and Crane are being held without bond at the Boone County Jail. The juvenile is being held at the Boone County Juvenile Office.

It is unclear whether any of the suspects have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf.