Resurfaced photo of Lee Vogler with suspect Shotsie Hayes and ex-wife stirs speculation over attack

DANVILLE, VIRGINIA: Just two weeks after divorcing his wife, a Danville man launched a shocking, targeted attack on city councilman Lee Vogler, dousing him in gasoline and setting him ablaze outside his workplace.

The suspect, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, had a known connection to Vogler, and a resurfaced photo of Hayes, his ex-wife Mary Alice, and Vogler has now emerged online, raising questions about the motive behind the assault.

Hayes was arrested shortly after the attack and now faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.

Councilman attack tied to personal feud as photo with suspect's ex-wife resurfaces

Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, had finalized his divorce from wife Mary Alice just two weeks before the brutal attack on Councilman Lee Vogler, the Daily Mail reported. Alice’s social media accounts are now set to private.

While police have not disclosed an exact motive, they confirmed Hayes and Vogler were personally acquainted and that the incident was not politically motivated.  

According to the Danville Police Department, the motive behind the violent assault “stemmed from a personal matter not related to the victim’s position on Danville City Council or any other political affiliation.” Authorities have not elaborated further on the nature of the dispute.

Adding to public curiosity is a resurfaced group photo shared on Vogler’s Instagram account, showing Vogler alongside Hayes and his now ex-wife, Alice. The image, which also features other unidentified individuals, is tagged only with Alice’s name, not Hayes’.

The timing of the divorce and the existence of the photo have fueled online speculation about underlying tensions between the two men.

While the connection between the divorce and the attack has not been officially confirmed, the proximity of events has led many to question whether personal issues involving Alice may have played a role in Hayes’ motive.

Investigators are continuing to examine the history between Hayes and Vogler as part of their ongoing inquiry.

Councilman chased and set on fire in shocking workplace attack

Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes reportedly stormed into Showcase Magazine's Danville office, where Lee Vogler works as director of sales, carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline. Andrew Brooks, the magazine’s owner, recounted the incident in a Facebook video: “An individual forced his way into our office carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline and poured the gasoline on Lee,” Brooks said.

“Lee attempted to flee, ran to the front of the building. The individual followed him and set him on fire.”

Vogler, 38, was able to identify Hayes before being airlifted to the UNC Burn Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is reportedly “awake and talking,” according to Brooks.

Hayes fled on foot but was apprehended shortly afterward during a nearby traffic stop. He is currently being held without bond at Danville City Jail.

In a statement, Danville police reiterated that the assault was not politically motivated but stemmed from personal enmity between the men.

Officials and family call for prayers as Lee Vogler recovers

Lee Vogler’s mother, Rhonda McCubbins Vogler, asked for “urgent prayers” on Facebook. “I told Lee God’s got him and we’re praying for him,” she wrote.

Vice Mayor James Buckner called Vogler a “colleague and our brother” and urged the community to keep him in their thoughts. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also issued a statement, saying, “Our prayers go out to Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, who was violently attacked at his workplace earlier today.”

Vogler has served on the Danville City Council since 2012 and was recently re-elected for a term running through 2029. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 and has received several recognitions during his public service, including being named Virginia Local Legislator of the Year in 2017.

As Vogler continues to recover, the investigation into the motive behind the violent act remains ongoing.