Alexis Baumann, Kobe Aust, and Joseph Crane were identified as the 18-year-olds who were charged in Burke’s killing. A minor was also charged.
A decorated Marine veteran was fatally shot while in his Missouri home when he met up with someone for a Facebook Marketplace sale. After being shot, he called the police to describe his attackers and then texted his family goodbye as he died.
Michael Ryan Burke, 42, was fatally shot in his home in Columbia, Missouri on Sunday in a Facebook sale-turned-robbery over a cellphone, per the New York Post. Four people have been arrested in connection with the killing, including three 18-year-olds and a juvenile male who all have been charged with the murder of Burke.
Alexis Baumann, Kobe Aust, and Joseph Crane were all identified as the 18-year-olds who were charged in Burke’s killing. They, as well as the minor, were hit with counts of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and burglary.
Crane is also facing charges for unlawful use of a weapon as well as armed criminal action. The unidentified juvenile also has an additional charge of unlawful use of a weapon. Burke’s friend from college, Jerry Reifeiss, spoke about the Marine veteran’s last moments in an interview with KRCG13.
Burke had just enough time on the 911 call to describe his attackers. He then texted his mother and sister, “I’m dying and I love you,” before he was driven to a hospital, where he later died.
“That was just Ryan. He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people know how he felt. He didn’t want to go on to the next life and pass away without providing some information to us that would bring justice to these people and let people know he always loves them,” Reifeiss said of Burke.
“I’m very happy the police did their job and were able to get these people very quickly, assuming these are the correct people,” Reifeiss said
The three 18-year-olds were being held in Boone County jail without bond, and the juvenile is in custody at the Boone County Juvenile Office.
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