Suspect Accused of Danville Councilman Arson to Plead Guilty

Shotsie Buck-Hayes faces attempted murder charges for setting Councilman Lee Vogler on fire.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a melted, blackened plastic object against a dark background, conveying the aftermath of a violent crime without depicting any graphic details.The charred remains of an object linked to a politically-motivated arson attack expose the dangers public officials can face.Danville Today

The man accused of setting Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler on fire is expected to plead guilty, according to Danville City Sheriff Mike Mondu. Shotsie Buck-Hayes is charged with attempted first-degree murder and has admitted to officials that he intended to kill Vogler.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the potential for political figures to become targets of violence. Vogler's survival and return to public service is seen as a victory for the community, but the underlying issues of the suspect's motivations remain concerning.

The details

According to Sgt. Gerrit Clay of the Danville Police Department, Buck-Hayes told him he set Vogler on fire because Vogler was engaging in an affair with his wife. Buck-Hayes is expected to enter the plea in a court appearance on Thursday.

  • The incident occurred in April 2026.
  • Buck-Hayes is expected to plead guilty on Thursday.

The players

Shotsie Buck-Hayes

The man accused of setting Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler on fire and charged with attempted first-degree murder.

Lee Vogler

The Danville City Councilman who was set on fire by Buck-Hayes and survived the attack.

Mike Mondu

The Danville City Sheriff who stated that Buck-Hayes is expected to plead guilty.

Gerrit Clay

A sergeant with the Danville Police Department who testified about Buck-Hayes' confession.

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What they’re saying

“He set Vogler on fire because Vogler was engaging in an affair with his wife.”

— Gerrit Clay, Sergeant, Danville Police Department

What’s next

The judge will decide on Thursday whether to accept Buck-Hayes' guilty plea and determine his sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the need for greater protections for public officials, as political figures can become targets of violence due to personal or ideological disputes.