Michael Ryan Burke dedicated himself to serving his country in the US Marine Corps. He also served as a Christian missionary in Uganda, helping spread the Word of God. To those who loved him, Burke was a source of light. For a group of teenagers on Facebook Marketplace, however, he was nothing more than a victim. Burke died following a foiled robbery attempt at his Columbia, Missouri, home on January 18, 2026. Police have arrested four teenagers in connection with his death. Investigators now believe the group may be tied to other scam victims.
According to the Columbia Police Department, 18-year-old Alexis Baumann, 18-year-old Kobe Aust, 18-year-old Joseph Crane, and an unnamed male juvenile went to Burke’s home in the 1400 block of Ridgemont Court on Sunday evening. Police received a call reporting shots fired around 8:15 p.m. and responded quickly. They found Burke with a life-threatening gunshot wound.
KRCG reported that court documents state the encounter supposedly involved the sale of an iPhone. Burke’s friend, Jerry Reifeiss, told the news outlet the pair met 24 years ago as fraternity brothers in the University of Missouri’s Sigma Nu chapter. He said Burke called 911 to describe his attackers and then sent final text messages to his mom and sister.
Court documents say someone shot and killed 42-year-old Ryan Burke of Columbia during a Facebook marketplace purchase involving a cell phone. @KRCG13 pic.twitter.com/OZz0FAnkIP
— Mark Slavit (@MSlavitKRCG13) January 20, 2026
“He texted them saying that, hey, I’m dying and I love you,” Reifeiss told KRCG. “That was just Ryan. He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt. He didn’t want to go on to the next life and pass away without providing some information to us here that would bring justice to these people and let people know he always loves them.”
Police used Flock cameras and Facebook data to connect the suspects to their alleged crimes, per KMIZ. Baumann allegedly blamed the shooting on the juvenile suspect. She said the boy shot Burke, took his iPhone, then sold it at an ecoATM at a nearby Walmart, KMIZ reported.
Court documents revealed that investigators found clothing belonging to the suspects that helped link them to additional thefts. The four teenagers apparently thought they could outsmart the police, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Reifeiss told KRCG that Burke’s death surprised him. Because Burke was a decorated Marine who performed dangerous military missions and served as security for President Donald Trump, Reifeiss didn’t expect his friend to die like this.
“I’m very happy the police did their job and were able to get these people very quickly, assuming these are the correct people,” he added.
All four suspects face second-degree murder charges, according to a news release the police department posted on social media. Baumann, Aust, and Crane each face second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary charges. Crane and the juvenile suspect also were charged with armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.
Just three days before his death, Burke paid tribute to Mizzou legend Professor Emeritus Robert T. “Bob” Marshall.
“Man was a real legend and I was blessed to know him! Rest easy Bob, I’ll see you eventually,” Burke wrote in the post. Little did he know, he might see his friend again in just a few days. His death remains under investigation.
Police ask anyone with information about the murder or other crimes involving the suspects to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573-874-7652.
