42-Year-Old Marine Veteran Passes Away After Facebook Marketplace Meeting

A quiet residential street in Columbia, Missouri, turned into a crime scene Sunday night after a shooting left a man critically wounded, setting off an investigation that would soon expose a violent pattern tied to online marketplace meetups.

Officers were dispatched shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, to the 1400 block of Ridgemont Court following reports of shots being fired.

When they arrived, police found a 42-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

According to the Columbia Police Department, the man was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died.

Authorities later identified the victim as Michael Ryan Burke, a Columbia resident and Marine Corps veteran. Friends said Burke was deeply rooted in faith-based work and had spent years traveling internationally on missionary efforts.

Who the Police Arrested

Days after the shooting, Columbia police announced the arrest of four suspects — one woman, two men, and a male juvenile — in connection with Burke's death.

Investigators said the killing occurred during a robbery and emphasized that the case remains an active and ongoing investigation. The adult suspects were identified as 18-year-old Alexis Baumann of Hallsville, 18-year-old Kobe Aust of Columbia, and 18-year-old Joseph Crane of Columbia. A male juvenile was also taken into custody.

Police said Baumann and Aust were arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and first-degree burglary. Crane faces those exact charges, along with armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. The juvenile was arrested on similar counts.

The three 18-year-olds are being held without bond at the Boone County Jail, while the juvenile is in the custody of the Boone County Juvenile Office.

What Investigators Say Happened

Court documents and a probable cause statement indicate the shooting stemmed from a planned Facebook Marketplace transaction involving a cell phone.

Police said Burke had been communicating with someone interested in purchasing his iPhone 15 Pro, valued at about $585. Messages reviewed by detectives showed Burke shared his home address with the prospective buyer. At approximately 8:10 p.m., the suspect replied, "I'm here."

Shortly after, officers responded to what was initially described as a "gunshot murder" call and found Burke wounded inside his home, the probable cause statement said.

Investigators allege the suspects had carried out at least two similar iPhone robberies in the days leading up to Burke's killing, targeting sellers they met through Facebook Marketplace.

In one earlier case, police said a victim reported that a gun was pointed at her and her phone was stolen before being sold at a Walmart ecoATM. Authorities said surveillance footage captured Baumann and Aust at the kiosk and showed all four suspects arriving together in the exact vehicle.

Final Moments Before His Death

Despite his injuries, Burke was able to call 911 and describe his attackers, police said. After the call, he sent text messages to his mother and sister, telling them goodbye.

"He texted them saying that, 'hey, I'm dying and I love you,'" said Jerry Reifeiss, who knew Burke for more than two decades. "That was just Ryan. He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt."

Reifeiss said Burke did not want to die without sharing information that could help investigators and bring accountability to those responsible.

"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 added.

A Life of Service and Faith

Friends described Burke as a decorated Marine who survived dangerous military missions before dedicating much of his life to missionary work.

According to Reifeiss, Burke traveled extensively, including time spent in Uganda, and later worked in security roles connected to the Trump administration.

Those who knew him said it was difficult to reconcile the dangers Burke had faced abroad with the circumstances of his death at home.

Tributes Pour In

In the days following the shooting, tributes flooded social media, highlighting Burke's faith, compassion, and role as a preacher. In a January 20, 2026, Facebook post, friend Ashley Harrington reflected on Burke’s commitment to spreading the Gospel and confronting evil with love:

"My heart is still in shock over the death and murder of my friend Michael Ryan Burke. We had very few encounters face to face but knew each other for years as we had mutual friends serving all over the world and would randomly message each other to see if we were in the same part of the world at the same time."

She added, "The last message I received from Ryan was his declaration that while he was still living, he had a mission to go after evil people and bring more good to this world [...] I will carry a part of Ryan's heart and mission to every nation and place the Lord entrusts me to go to and carry that torch."

She concluded, "Ryan wasn't afraid of dying. He wanted to reach as many people as possible [...] You are loved and dearly missed!"

Another friend, Ethel Baguio, described Burke as a remarkable preacher who inspired others to reflect on their faith and personal values.

Similar tributes were shared by Michelle Moore Winder, who echoed Burke's impact as a preacher. Another person, George Lee King, recalled serving alongside him within a church community in Afghanistan, calling the deceased preacher a central figure in that group.

What Comes Next

Prosecutors have filed multiple felony charges against the suspects, including second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and first-degree burglary, under Missouri law.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Columbia Police Department at 573-874-7652. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 573-875-8477 or via p3tips.com. According to the police department, tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500.

As the investigation continues, those closest to Burke say his life, defined by service, faith, and generosity, remains the most precise measure of who he was, even as authorities work to determine accountability for how he died.