DANVILLE, VA – A Danville man accused of dousing a city councilman with gasoline and setting him on fire has been declared mentally fit to stand trial, authorities said Tuesday, months after the harrowing attack left the local official with life-threatening burns.
Shotsie Buck-Hayes, 29, faces a series of felony charges, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, and armed breaking and entering with intent to commit murder. The charges stem from a violent July incident in which Councilman Lee Vogler was severely burned at his workplace in what prosecutors allege was a premeditated assault.
According to court testimony and police statements, Buck-Hayes suspected Vogler of having an affair with his wife, a belief that allegedly motivated the attack. Investigators say Buck-Hayes purchased gasoline from a nearby service station before entering the councilman’s place of employment armed with a bucket of fuel and a lighter.
The confrontation quickly escalated as Buck-Hayes reportedly chased Vogler, splashed him with the gasoline, and set him alight, resulting in a chaotic and traumatic scene. Witness testimony described hearing Vogler scream for help and seeing his shirt burned away by the flames, with much of his upper body severely injured.
Emergency responders arrived to find Vogler suffering from burns covering about 60% of his body, requiring immediate medical intervention. He was transported for intensive treatment, including multiple skin grafts and extensive surgeries, to address burn shock and complications like septic shock and serious infections. Medical staff utilized healthy skin from other parts of his body to cover the burned areas — a process that has since limited his mobility and required ongoing physical therapy.
Vogler later recounted fearing for his life during the ordeal, stating in an interview that his family had been warned about his critical condition. “I hurt pretty much every day,” Vogler said, noting the enduring pain and the persistent challenges of recovery. Despite a period of significant uncertainty, he has since made a return to his duties on the Danville City Council.
During a preliminary hearing in September, a coworker of Vogler’s detailed the dramatic events, describing efforts to come to his aid and recalling the moments as Buck-Hayes allegedly carried out the attack. Police records and testimony provided further details about the planning and method behind the assault, including the purchase of gasoline shortly before the incident occurred.
Buck-Hayes underwent a psychological evaluation following his arrest and was found competent this week to stand trial on the charges. He remains in custody without bail as the court process moves forward. A date for the trial has yet to be set.
The incident has drawn significant attention in the Danville community, with local officials and residents expressing shock and concern over the violence. Vogler’s path to recovery continues, while the legal case against Buck-Hayes is expected to proceed in the coming months.
