A 40-year-old man charged in a non-fatal shooting case is set to serve roughly five years in prison after pleading guilty on April 14 to reckless endangerment and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.
Defendant George Buettner initially faced 10 charges, including attempted murder, assault and six gun offenses in connection to a drive-by shooting that occurred last September in Southeast Baltimore. In exchange for his plea, the state agreed to dismiss Buettner’s remaining eight charges. The terms of the agreement include a five-year supervised probationary period upon release.
The agreement canceled Buettner’s trial, which was originally scheduled to proceed April 14 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony F. Vittoria with jury selection.
According to Buettner’s charging documents, on the evening of Sept. 6, 2025, police responded to the 100 block of S. Dean Street to find a man suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower right knee.
Surveillance footage revealed that as the victim had been walking along the street when, a silver Jeep SUV with the word “redneck” displayed on the front window abruptly stopped at his side. In response, the victim reportedly drew a handgun and fired at the driver of the SUV. The driver responded by returning fire before fleeing the scene.
Investigators later located a silver 2008 Jeep Liberty that matched the description of the vehicle seen in surveillance footage. Inside the SUV, they found a bullet hole and a black Nike hoodie that was later linked to Buettner.
As Buettner was set to be taken away, his son cried out to Judge Vittoria, asking to give his father a hug.,
“It is under the discretion of the officers,” Judge Vittoria replied as officers denied the request. “I’m sorry.”
Per the terms of the deal, Buettner was given credit for 213 days of time already served while awaiting trial.
