Man pleads guilty to setting Danville city councilman on fire

Shotsie Buck-Hayes admits to attacking Lee Vogler in a fit of rage over an alleged affair

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred, melted plastic object against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the aftermath of a violent attack without depicting any literal violence.The violent attack on a local elected official has left a community shaken and searching for answers.Danville Today

Shotsie Buck-Hayes, a 29-year-old man from Danville, Virginia, has pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding charges for allegedly dousing Danville city councilman Lee Vogler with gasoline and setting him on fire. Buck-Hayes initially pleaded not guilty but has now decided to take responsibility for his actions, according to his defense attorney.

Why it matters

This violent attack on a local elected official has shaken the Danville community and raised concerns about public safety and the potential for political violence. The case also highlights the complex personal issues that can sometimes drive such crimes.

The details

According to court documents, on July 30, 2025, police responded to a call at the offices of Showcase Magazine, where they found Lee Vogler, 38, who had been burned. Buck-Hayes was taken into custody and allegedly admitted to dumping gasoline on Vogler and intending to kill him. The defense has indicated they will discuss details of an alleged affair that may have spurred the attack during Buck-Hayes' sentencing hearing in June.

  • On July 30, 2025, police responded to the attack on Lee Vogler.
  • On April 1, 2026, Buck-Hayes initially pleaded not guilty.
  • On April 16, 2026, Buck-Hayes changed his plea to guilty.

The players

Shotsie Buck-Hayes

A 29-year-old Danville resident who has pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding charges for allegedly attacking Danville city councilman Lee Vogler.

Lee Vogler

A 38-year-old Danville city councilman who was the victim of the attack by Shotsie Buck-Hayes.

Matthew Pack

The defense attorney for Shotsie Buck-Hayes, who said his client wanted to take responsibility for his actions.

Michael Newman

The commonwealth attorney in Danville, who said they had sufficient evidence to convict Buck-Hayes and that he should be held accountable.

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What they’re saying

“He decided to take responsibility for what he actually did.”

— Matthew Pack, Defense Attorney

“You're looking at a man who just reached his breaking point, I think.”

— Matthew Pack, Defense Attorney

“At the end of the day, he realized we had the evidence to convict him. Mr. Buck-Hayes should now be held accountable for this aggravated act, and I will be asking the court to set the sentencing as high as possible.”

— Michael Newman, Commonwealth Attorney

What’s next

Buck-Hayes' sentencing hearing is scheduled for June, where the details of the alleged affair that may have motivated the attack are expected to be discussed.

The takeaway

This violent assault on a local elected official has shaken the Danville community and raised concerns about the potential for political violence driven by personal grievances. The case highlights the need for greater awareness and support around mental health issues that can lead to such tragic incidents.