Inset: Shotsie Buck-Hayes (Danville Police Department). Background: Virginia councilman Lee Vogler speaking about the fire attack that was allegedly carried out against him by Shotsie Buck-Hayes (WSET/YouTube).
In an unsettling case out of Virginia, a man has been deemed mentally fit to face trial after he allegedly set a city councilman on fire under the belief that the victim was involved in an affair with his wife. This revelation was shared during a court session where police provided testimony on the incident.
Danville Police Sgt. Gerrit Clay testified on September 30 in a preliminary hearing regarding Shotsie Buck-Hayes, who faces accusations of attempting to immolate Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler last July. According to Clay, Buck-Hayes confessed his actions stemmed from the suspicion that Vogler was romantically entangled with his spouse.
Following a psychological assessment, Buck-Hayes, aged 29, has been ruled competent for trial. He faces serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, and breaking and entering with intent to commit murder while armed.
Sgt. Clay recounted details of the incident, noting that Buck-Hayes allegedly purchased $3 worth of gasoline from a local gas station. As reported by the NBC affiliate WSLS, Buck-Hayes then proceeded to the victim’s workplace, where he confronted Vogler and doused him with the gasoline.
The Danville Police Department detailed in a press release that the suspect forcibly entered Lee Vogler’s place of employment, confronted him, and carried out the attack with premeditated intent.
During a court session in September, Steven Seiple, a colleague of Vogler, provided a gripping account. He described witnessing Buck-Hayes in pursuit of Vogler, armed with a bucket filled with gasoline, which he used to splash on Vogler before igniting the fuel with a lighter.
“His shirt had been burned off and his chest was very pink,” Seiple recalled. “His arms were really, really bad.”
Seiple reportedly added, “I remember Lee screaming, ‘He threw gas on me!’”
Vogler suffered second- and third-degree burns on 60% of his body, according to reports, and 35% of his non-damaged skin was used to cover the burns. He sustained burn shock, septic shock, burned lungs, and severe infections related to his injuries.
“I hurt pretty much every day,” Vogler told local ABC affiliate WSET in late November. “My family was told … ‘he may not be here tomorrow.’”
Vogler received numerous skin grafts after the incident, which have limited his mobility. “That’s something I have to constantly stretch, massage, do exercises with.”
He admitted to WSET that he feared he would die after the alleged attack.
“I don’t think I’m going to make it,” he remembered saying during his ambulance ride.
Vogler has since returned to City Council. A trial date has not been set yet for Buck-Hayes, who is being held without bail.
