Former Salina man shot to death in Tennessee

By ERIN MATHEWS

Salina Journal

A former Salina man who recently returned from military service in Afghanistan was shot to death on his way to a Fourth of July fireworks display when an altercation in Clarksville, Tenn., led to gunfire.

U.S. Army Spc. Brandon Buettner, 25, who was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., with the 101st Airborne Division, was picking up a friend at 6:45 p.m. Saturday when he became involved in a verbal altercation with bystanders, according to a statement released by the Clarksville Police Department.

Buettner and another soldier walked away from the argument with their friend and got into their vehicle to leave for a fireworks display in Nashville when shots were fired and Buettner was hit, said his mother, Denise Buettner, of Salina. He was taken to Gateway Medical Center in Clarksville, where he died of his injuries.

The Clarksville Police Department investigation of the shooting is ongoing, and no arrests had been made by Monday afternoon. The police department declined to release further information.

Served in Afghanistan

Before he embarked on 3Ôªø1âÑ2 years of military service, being stationed in Afghanistan until six months ago, Buettner lived in Salina for about a year and a half and was employed at Sam's Club. He lived with his grandparents, Don and Hazel Lane, before deciding to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and enlist in the Army, Denise Buettner said.

"He loved his country, and he believed in what he was doing," she said.

Buettner grew up in the Oklahoma City area and returned to Oklahoma to enlist in the Army.

Denise Buettner said her son was in the process of deciding whether to re-enlist or go on to college.

Funeral services are pending and will be handled by Resthaven Funeral Home in Oklahoma City.

n Reporter Erin Mathews can be reached at 822-1415 or by e-mail at emathews@salina.com.

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says....
To the mother, my heart goes out to you. Just a young man gone because of some words. I will pray for your stength thru this difficult time. May your son rest in peace. May you find solice in GOD.
7/7/2009

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TX Cowboy says....
Sorry to learn that America is more dangerous to our troops than Afghanistan. Condolences to the family and I hope they catch the killer.
7/7/2009

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Mary says....
I am sorry for your loss! Your son was a true Hero and its sad to say but it seems like we can send our men to another country and bring them home to a country that is more dangerous than where they just left. Sad we can't get a handle on crime in the USA. Our "American Heros" aren't even safe. May he rest in Peace
7/7/2009

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