Michael Ryan Burke, 42, a decorated U.S. Marine, was shot and later died after arranging to sell an iPhone via Facebook Marketplace at his Columbia, Missouri, home on Jan. 18. After the shooting he called 911, described his alleged attackers and texted his family, telling them "I'm dying and I love you." On Jan. 20 police arrested three 18-year-olds and one juvenile and charged them with murder, robbery and burglary; two suspects face additional weapon charges. Investigators say the suspects were linked to multiple recent Facebook Marketplace iPhone robberies, with surveillance footage and ecoATM records cited as evidence.
Decorated Marine Fatally Shot During Facebook Marketplace iPhone Sale — Called 911 and Texted "I'm Dying and I Love You"
FacebookMichael Ryan Burke
Michael Ryan Burke, 42, a decorated U.S. Marine, was fatally shot at his Columbia, Missouri, home on Jan. 18 after arranging to sell an iPhone via Facebook Marketplace, authorities said. In his final moments he called 911, provided a description of the alleged attackers and sent heartbreaking texts to his family.
What Happened
Columbia police responded at about 8:15 p.m. to reports of gunfire in the 1400 block of Ridgemont Court. Officers found Burke inside his residence suffering from multiple, life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Boone County Sheriff DepartmentAlexis Baumann, Mugshot
911 Call and Final Texts
According to a probable cause statement obtained by PEOPLE, Burke called 911 after being shot and told dispatchers that someone had come to his house to buy a phone and shot him. During the call he provided a description of the alleged assailants. While waiting for first responders, he texted his mother and sister; a longtime friend reported one message read, "I'm dying and I love you."
Arrests and Charges
On Jan. 20, Columbia police arrested three 18-year-olds identified as Alexis Baumann, Kobe Aust and Joseph Crane, and an unnamed male juvenile. All four face charges including Second-Degree Murder, First-Degree Robbery and First-Degree Burglary. Crane and the juvenile also face additional counts for Unlawful Use Of A Weapon and Armed Criminal Action. Baumann, Aust and Crane are being held without bond at the Boone County Jail; the juvenile is in custody at the Boone County Juvenile Office.
Boone County Sheriff DepartmentJoseph Crane, Mugshot
Investigation Links to Prior Robberies
Investigators say the suspects were tied to a string of targeted iPhone robberies in the two days preceding Burke's death. Police allege the group used Facebook Marketplace to identify sellers, arranged meetups and then stole phones. In one earlier incident, a victim reported a gun was pointed at her and her phone was later sold at a Walmart ecoATM. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Baumann and Aust at that machine and all four suspects arriving together in the same vehicle.
Evidence From Burke's Phone
Detectives reviewing messages on Burke's phone say they found an exchange arranging the sale of an iPhone 15 Pro, valued at about $585. Burke provided his address in the chat, and at roughly 8:10 p.m. a reply read, "I'm here," according to the probable cause statement.
Boone County Sheriff DepartmentKobe Aust, Mugshot
"He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt," said longtime friend Jerry Reifeiss, describing Burke's decision to contact family and help investigators even as he was dying.
The Columbia Police Department and the Boone County Sheriff Department led the investigation. The case remains active as authorities gather more evidence. As with any criminal case, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sources: Columbia Police Department statement; Boone County Sheriff Department; PEOPLE; KRCG13.
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