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 lined him with a flammable liquid, the Danville Police Division stated. Each went exterior the place Hayes allegedly set Vogler on hearth, police stated.
J. Lee Volger is proven on this undated file photograph.
danville-va.gov
Vogler has been taken to a hospital in unknown situation, police stated. Showcase Journal stated he sustained “critical burn accidents.”
Hayes, 29, of Danville, is in custody, police stated. The suspect allegedly fled the scene and was then stopped by officers just a few blocks away, police stated.
Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, is proven on this reserving photograph.
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 some other political affiliation,” police stated.
Vogler, who was elected to 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 a press release. “Our ideas and prayers are with Lee and his household as he receives medical care. The Showcase Journal crew is absolutely cooperating with legislation enforcement as they proceed their investigation.”
On this display 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.
