Heartbreaking Message from Fallen Marine Veteran

A Marine veteran, Michael Ryan Burke, 42, tragically passed away following a shooting during a flawed Facebook Marketplace deal. Just before he succumbed to his injuries, he managed to send a poignant farewell note to his family.

After being shot in his Columbia, Missouri home, Burke reached out to his friend, Jerry Raifeis, as well as his mother and sister with a simple yet devastating message: “I’m dying, I love you.” Raifeis reflected on this, saying, “That was just Ryan. He always put people in front of him and wanted to make sure people knew how he felt.”

Despite his critical condition, Burke was able to call 911 and provide a description of his assailant. “He didn’t want to pass away without giving us information to help bring justice,” Raifeis explained, emphasizing Burke’s dedication to his loved ones.

Burke was transported to a hospital but sadly did not survive his injuries. Friends described him as a military hero involved in challenging operations. He later served as a preacher in Uganda and even worked in security for the Trump administration.

In a swift response to the incident, three 18-year-olds—Alexis Bauman, Kobe Aust, and Joseph Crane—along with an unnamed juvenile, were arrested, each facing charges including second-degree murder and first-degree burglary. Crane additionally faces charges related to unlawful weapon use.

All three young adults are being held without bail in Boone County Jail, while the juvenile is detained at the Boone County Juvenile Department.

Raifeis expressed relief over the prompt arrests, stating, “I’m very pleased that the police did their job and were able to make these arrests very quickly, assuming these were the right people.”