Reisterstown Road Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Rejects 40-Year Plea Deal

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On Aug. 3, a 37-year-old defendant charged in connection to a 2022 attempted murder rejected a plea deal to serve 40 years in prison before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

Defendant Christopher Bowser, represented by defense counsel Natalie A. Finegar, rejected a plea deal to serve a 60-year sentence, suspending all but 40 years, the first 10 without the possibility of parole, in addition to five years of probation for attempted first-degree murder, firearm possession with a felony conviction without the possibility of parole and firearm use in a felony violent crime.

Judge Phinn scheduled Bowser’s trial to begin on Nov. 20 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer. The trial is expected to last three days.

As stated on the Maryland Judiciary website, Bowser is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, firearm use in a felony violent crime, having a gun within 100 yards of the public, having a handgun on his person, firing a gun in Baltimore City and reckless endangerment.

According to court documents, on Nov. 18, 2022, an officer received a call for a walk-in shooting victim at Sinai Hospital. Bowser stated he was selling loose cigarettes on Reisterstown Road and Cordelia Avenue when he was shot.

The next day, Baltimore Police Department detectives found CCTV footage that showed the shooting at a Marathon gas station. Detectives were able to identify Bowser from his distinctive beard. He was observed approaching the passenger side of a white SUV that pulled up to the customer service window. Bowser then pulled out a silver handgun while attempting to open the door.

After the victim and Bowser shot at each other, Bowser checked in to Sinai Hospital with gunshot injuries. Around the same time, the victim walked into Saint Agnes Hospital with two gunshot wounds on his left elbow after driving away from the scene. When the victim was interviewed, he stated he was shot by an unknown individual at the gas station.