Marine veteran fatally shot at Facebook Marketplace meetup, calls 911, family in final moments

A decorated Marine veteran was fatally shot at his home during what police say was a Facebook Marketplace deal that turned into a robbery. Even after being wounded, he remained conscious long enough to describe his attackers to a 911 dispatcher and send a final goodbye message to his family.

Michael Ryan Burke, 42, was shot Sunday at his residence in Columbia, Missouri, during a planned cellphone sale, according to the Columbia Police Department. Investigators say the transaction escalated into a robbery involving four suspects.

Three 18-year-olds — Alexis Baumann, Kobe Aust, and Joseph Crane — along with a juvenile male, have been arrested and charged in connection with Burke’s death.

Burke’s longtime friend and fraternity brother, Jerry Reifeiss, told KRCG13 that Burke’s actions in his final moments reflected the same courage and selflessness that led him to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Man in a gray suit with a white shirt and black tie looking at the camera. — Burke was a decorated Marine veteran. instagram/deep.sea.cowboy

Reifeiss said Burke managed to call 911 and provide a description of all four suspects. He also sent a text message to his mother and sister saying, “I’m dying and I love you,” before being transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

“That was just Ryan,” Reifeiss said. “He always put people before himself. He wanted to make sure justice could be served and that the people he loved knew how he felt.”

Burke was a graduate of the University of Missouri, where he double majored in psychology and sociology. In a 2016 Facebook post, he described his education as an investment in his future and emphasized the importance of training the mind. Outside of his military service, Burke also took part in missionary work abroad, including time in Uganda, and volunteered in efforts to combat human trafficking.

Mugshot of a young woman with shoulder-length reddish-brown hair and light eyes, wearing a dark top against a gray background. — Alexis Gabrielle, 18, and three other people were charged with Burke’s murder. boonecountymo

Mugshot of a young man with dark, messy hair and a white hooded garment. — Joseph Crane, 18, faces extra charges for unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. boonecountymo

A mugshot of a young man with dark, messy hair and a faint mustache and beard, wearing a white zip-up jacket. — Kobe Aust, 18, and an unnamed juvenile were also arrested for Burke’s murder. boonecountymo

Baumann, Aust, and Crane have been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and burglary. Crane faces additional charges of unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. The juvenile suspect has also been charged, including an additional count of unlawful use of a weapon.

The three adult suspects are being held without bond at the Boone County Jail. The juvenile is being held at the Boone County Juvenile Office.

Original Source