Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes Is Suspect in Virginia Councilman Lee Vogler Attack

Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes is the suspect who is accused of setting a Virginia Councilman named Lee Vogler on fire.

The attack occurred on July 30 at the offices of Showcase Magazine, where Vogler works as director of sales.

The suspect's name was released by the Danville Police Department in Danville, VA.

"The Danville Police Department has charged Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, with attempted first degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding following the attack by burning Wednesday, July 30, on Lee Vogler," police wrote.

"Hayes is being held in the Danville City Jail under no bond."

Lee Vogler Has a Wife and 2 Kids and Is the Youngest Person Ever Elected to the Danville City Council

According to WBAY-TV, Vogler has a wife and two kids, and he has served on the Danville City Council for more than 12 years. Police say the attack stemmed from a personal matter, not his politics.

Daily Mail reported that Hayes' wife Mary Alice Buck-Hayes "filed for divorce from him just two weeks ago. The couple only appeared to have married in 2023."

However, her Facebook page says she married "Shots Buck Hayes" in 2021. Her page is filled with photos showing her with Buck Hayes.

"J. Lee Vogler was elected to Danville City Council in May 2012, becoming the youngest person ever elected to that position, at age 24," his city bio reads. "A native of Danville, Mr. Vogler graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He is currently employed as the Managing Partner for Andrew Brooks Media Group."

Vogler's website says he "has consistently worked to lower utility bills, lower taxes and expand opportunity for all in Danville."

His Facebook page is full of family photos.

The website notes, "Vogler attends Compassion Church with his wife, Blair, and their two children, Kingston and Ava." His campaign slogan is a "voice for the people."

Hayes "forced his way into our office... carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline," Showcase Magazine owner Andrew Brooks said in a Facebook reel. 

"The individual followed him (Vogler) and set him on fire." He added that Vogler identified his attacker as "Shotsie Buck." Vogler is "awake and talking" and was being taken to the hospital burn center, Brooks said in the video.

"This type of senseless act of violence has to stop," he said.

Virginia online court records obtained by Men's Journal show only two minor traffic infractions for Shotsie Buck Hayes.

"The Danville Police Department is investigating after a male was set on fire Wednesday, July 30," the police news release says. "Around 11:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Main Street for a report of a male being set on fire."

The Danville Fire Department and the Danville Life Saving Crew, "also responded to the scene to render aid. The male victim was airlifted to a regional medical facility for treatment. The full extent of his injuries are not known at the time of this release," the release continues.

"Based on witness information provided to officers at the scene, the suspect entered into the victim’s place of employment, confronted him and doused him with a flammable liquid. The victim and suspect exited the building, where the suspect then set the victim on fire," the release adds.

Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes Is Accused of Fleeing the Scene

"The suspect fled the scene, however witness information provided a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Officers located and stopped the vehicle several blocks from the incident and the driver was taken into custody without incident," continued police.

"The driver, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, of Danville, was identified as the suspect in the attack and is currently in police custody," wrote police.

"The Danville Police Department does not typically identify living victims in media releases, however due to his public position as an elected official, the victim of this attack was identified as Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, of Danville," police added.

"Based on the investigation at the time of this release, the victim and the suspect are known to each other and the attack stems from a personal matter not related to the victim’s position on Danville City Council or any other political affiliation," they added.

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Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes Is Suspect in Virginia Councilman Lee Vogler Attack first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 30, 2025