Authorities have taken four individuals into custody this week in connection with the robbery and fatal shooting of 42-year-old Marine veteran Michael Ryan Burke in Missouri, which occurred on Sunday.

According to Burke’s friend, Jerry Reifeiss, Burke managed to call 911 to provide a description of the attackers before texting his mother and sister. This information was reported by KRGC.

“He texted them saying, ‘Hey, I’m dying and I love you,'” Reifeiss recounted.

Images of Michael Ryan Burke have been shared on Facebook, reflecting his life and the impact of his loss.

Court records reveal that the tragic incident took place during a transaction arranged through Facebook Marketplace for a cell phone, as reported by the news outlet.

“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 press release noted.

The suspects include three 18-year-olds and a juvenile, the release noted.

Generic stock image of police car lights. (Stephen M. Katz/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

“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,” the release explained. 

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.

Michael Ryan Burke, a veteran, was shot and killed in a robbery. (Facebook/ Michael Ryan Burke)

“18 months ago, today, I got sober,” Woodsome wrote. “He played a big role in me staying sober. He would remind me of God’s love and always motivated me to keep it up. He didn’t have to reach out to check in, but he did. Looking to meet up or get me to church, he was always trying to show me the light. Getting messages or calls from Ryan kept me in the fight and helped me through the darkness. And for that, I’ll be forever grateful.”