Michael Ryan Burke decorated marine sends heartbreaking final text after being robbed by group of 4 at his Columbia, Minnesota home during a Facebook Marketplace sale robbery.
Missouri police have arrested four teens with the shooting death of 42-year-old Marine veteran Michael Ryan Burke during a Facebook Marketplace sale gone wrong over the weekend.
Burke according to family had called 911 and described the assailants, and then texted his mother and sister saying that, ‘Hey I’m dying and I love you,’ KRGC reported.
Facebook Marketplace sale gone wrong
Soon after Burke was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Court documents indicate that the fatal shooting occurred during a Facebook marketplace arranged sale relating to an iPhone cell phone at the victim’s home on Sunday.
Instead of buying Burke’s iPhone 15 Pro, valued at about $585, threet teens and a juvenile entered the man’s home only to then shoot Burke and steal his cellphone which the teens stole directly after the shooting.
‘Columbia Police have arrested one woman, two men and a male juvenile for the robbery and murder of Michael Ryan Burke, of Columbia, that occurred during a shooting Jan. 18 in the 1400 block of Ridgemont Court,’ a Jan. 20 Columbia Police Dept press release noted.
The suspects include three 18-year-olds and a juvenile, the release stated.
Decorated Minnesota marine was also active missionary
‘Alexis Baumann, 18, of Hallsville, was arrested for second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary. Kobe Aust, 18, of Columbia, was arrested for second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary. Joseph Crane, 18, of Columbia, was arrested for second-degree murder, armed criminal action, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and unlawful use of a weapon. A male juvenile was arrested for second-degree murder, armed criminal action, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and unlawful use of a weapon.’
An individual named Tyler Woodsome shared in a Facebook post that Burke had helped encourage him to stay sober.
‘This one is hard. The man in the picture below is Michael Ryan Burke. A genuinely good human. A man of God and Country. He was a Marine, a humanitarian, a musician, a gear head and an incredible Martial Artist.’ Woodsome wrote.
Group of four robbery spree in the hours before
When Burke wasn’t on active duty, he was completing missionary work in different parts of the globe, including participating in volunteer work in the ‘fight against human trafficking.’
The group is accused of going on a robbery spree before killing Burke, during which they targeted at least two others for their phones.
‘If you touch me I’ll shoot you,’ the juvenile suspect told one of the victims after stealing her phone ‘when she showed it to him,’ according to court documents.
All four individuals are charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. They are being held without bond.
