A man tragically lost his life after being fatally shot at his residence while attempting to sell an iPhone through a Facebook Marketplace transaction. Michael Ryan Burke, a 42-year-old U.S. Marine veteran, made a distress call to 911 and sent a farewell message to his family before succumbing to his injuries in Columbia, Missouri.
The incident occurred around 8:15 pm local time when police responded to reports of gunshots at Ridgemont Court. Upon arrival, officers discovered Burke inside his home with severe gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he tragically passed away due to the injuries sustained.
Following the shooting, Burke managed to contact emergency services and provide a description of the alleged assailants before his untimely death. Three 18-year-olds and one juvenile male were arrested by authorities on January 20 in connection with Burke’s murder.
The suspects, Kobe Aust, Joseph Crane, Alexis Baumann, and the juvenile, have been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and first-degree burglary. They are currently being held in custody without bond at the Boone County Jail and the Boone County Juvenile Office, respectively.
During the investigation, detectives examined Burke’s Facebook messages and found communications related to the sale of his iPhone 15 Pro. Burke had shared his address with one of the suspects, who confirmed their arrival at the residence at 8:10 pm. Friends described Burke as a military hero who always prioritized his loved ones, evident in his final messages to his family expressing his love and ensuring justice for his attackers.