Executive Summary
- Three 18-year-olds were indicted by a Boone County grand jury for the murder of Michael Ryan Burke.
- The fatal incident occurred on January 18 during a botched Facebook Marketplace robbery.
- Charges include Second-Degree Murder, First-Degree Robbery, and Armed Criminal Action.
- A fourth juvenile suspect faces similar charges and is currently held by the Juvenile Office.
A Boone County grand jury has indicted three 18-year-old suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of a man during an alleged Facebook Marketplace robbery scheme in Columbia, Missouri. Court documents confirm that Alexis Gabrielle Baumann of Hallsville, along with Kobe Dale Aust and Joseph Granville Crane, both of Columbia, were formally indicted on Thursday, February 19, and Friday, February 20.
The charges stem from the January 18 death of 42-year-old Michael Ryan Burke. According to investigators, the victim was killed during a robbery arranged under the guise of a transaction on the social media platform. The three young adults face indictments on four counts each: First-Degree Robbery, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Second-Degree Murder under the felony murder statute.
In addition to the three adult suspects, a fourth individual, identified as a juvenile, has been charged with Second-Degree Murder, Armed Criminal Action, First-Degree Robbery, First-Degree Burglary, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Authorities stated that the juvenile remains in the custody of the Boone County Juvenile Office.
Procedural filings indicate that arraignments for Aust and Crane were scheduled for February 23, 2026, while Baumann is expected to appear in court on March 30, 2026. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Judicial Implications
The swift return of indictments by the grand jury signals the prosecution’s readiness to proceed with felony murder charges, a legal doctrine that allows defendants to be held liable for a death that occurs during the commission of a dangerous felony, such as robbery, regardless of their specific role in the killing. Furthermore, the separate handling of the fourth suspect highlights the bifurcated nature of the justice system when dealing with minors, though the severity of the charges could prompt a hearing to determine if the juvenile should be certified to stand trial as an adult.
