An April trial date was set for attempted murder defendant George Buettner, 46, during reception court on Feb. 2.
Buettner is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use and five other gun violations for allegedly shooting an armed pedestrian in the leg last September.
On Sept. 6, 2025, officers located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his right knee near the 3000 block of Mt. Pleasant Avenue. At the time of the incident, Buettner had reportedly been driving a 2008 Jeep Liberty with a decal spelling “redneck.”
The victim claimed he was walking back from a laundromat on S. Conkling Street when he was suddenly shot.
Area surveillance footage appeared to show Buettner abruptly braking his Jeep next to the victim, who was walking in the roadway. Charging documents state that the victim “trotted” westbound away from the vehicle toward S. Conkling Street.
When the victim reached the corner of Mt. Pleasant Avenue and S. Conkling Street, he was captured reaching for a handgun from his waistband, aiming it at Buettner’s vehicle and firing.
Buettner then appeared to exit his vehicle, re-enter it to retrieve his own handgun and return fire, striking the victim in the leg. The victim sought coverage behind a random vehicle before limping to a nearby alley.
Buettner reportedly fled the scene toward S. Eaton Street, where his vehicle was later found to have a bullet hole in the rear side. Ammunition was discovered at the scene that was believed to be from both parties.
The victim is suspected to have been in illegal possession of a firearm at the time of the shooting.
Buettner’s trial is set for April 14, 2026 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony F. Vittoria.
