A Virginia councilman was set on hearth in an obvious private assault on Wednesday, authorities stated.
The suspect, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, allegedly confronted Danville Metropolis Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, at his workplace, at Showcase Journal, and coated him with a flammable liquid, the Danville Police Division stated. Each went outdoors the place Hayes allegedly set Vogler on hearth, police stated.
J. Lee Volger is proven on this undated file picture.
danville-va.gov
Vogler has been taken to a hospital in unknown situation, police stated. Showcase Journal stated he sustained “severe burn accidents.”
Hayes, 29, of Danville, is in custody, police stated. The suspect allegedly fled the scene and was then stopped by officers a couple of blocks away, police stated.
Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, is proven on this reserving picture.
Danville Police Division
It seems Vogler and Hayes know one another “and the assault stems from a private matter not associated to the sufferer’s place on Danville Metropolis Council or every other political affiliation,” police stated.
Vogler, who was elected to the town council in 2012 on the age of 24, additionally works because the director of gross sales at Showcase Journal, the place he was attacked.
“We’re deeply shocked and saddened by this act of violence,” Showcase Journal stated in an announcement. “Our ideas and prayers are with Lee and his household as he receives medical care. The Showcase Journal workforce is totally cooperating with legislation enforcement as they proceed their investigation.”
On this display screen seize from a video, legislation enforcement officers are proven on the scene in Danville, Virginia, on July 30, 2025.
WSET
Hayes has been charged with tried first-degree homicide and aggravated malicious wounding, police stated.
