It was a summer day in Danville, Virginia, when a shocking act of violence erupted inside a quiet office building, leaving a city council member fighting for his life and a community grappling with the aftermath. The attack, which occurred in July 2025, has since become the focus of a high-profile court case, with new details emerging about the motive and the harrowing events that unfolded.
According to multiple reports, including coverage by WDBJ7 and the Daily Mail, Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, a resident who emigrated from Devon, England to the United States in 2020, was arrested after allegedly setting Danville City Council member Lee Vogler on fire inside Vogler's own office. The alleged motive? Buck-Hayes believed Vogler was having an affair with his wife, Mary Alice Buck-Hayes, who had filed for divorce just two weeks prior to the incident.
The details were laid bare during a preliminary hearing on September 30, 2025. Danville Police Sgt. Clay testified that Buck-Hayes admitted to officers, "he set the person on fire who had an affair with his wife." The court heard that Buck-Hayes had purchased gasoline at a local gas station with the express intent of harming Vogler, using a lighter to ignite the fuel. The attack, as described by witnesses, was both sudden and brutal.
Stephen Seiple, an employee of Showcase Magazine—the very place where Vogler worked and where the attack took place—recounted the terrifying scene. "The next thing I remember was Lee screaming 'call 911, he threw gas on me,' he came running by. He had a burgundy shirt on, I could smell gas," Seiple testified, according to Daily Mail. He further described seeing Buck-Hayes, clad in a prison jumpsuit during the hearing, chasing Vogler with a bucket and dousing him with gasoline. "When I got [out front], his shirt had been burned off. His chest was very pink and his arms were really, really bad," Seiple said.
The consequences for Vogler were catastrophic. His wife, Blair Vogler, told the court that her husband suffered second and third-degree burns covering 60 percent of his body. The injuries were so severe that it took skin grafts covering 35 percent of his body to treat the wounds. Blair detailed the ordeal, explaining that Lee also suffered burn shock, septic shock, and lung damage from smoke inhalation. Vogler has remained hospitalized since the attack, enduring a series of skin graft procedures and a long road to recovery.
Despite the allegations, neither Vogler nor Mary Alice Buck-Hayes have confirmed the affair that Buck-Hayes claims drove him to violence. The couple, according to her Facebook page, married in 2021. The divorce filing, which occurred just two weeks before the attack, adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught situation.
Police said Buck-Hayes fled the scene after the attack, but witnesses were able to provide descriptions of him and his vehicle, leading to his arrest just a few blocks away. He now faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. During the preliminary hearing, Buck-Hayes' defense offered no evidence to the contrary, and the judge found probable cause to certify the charges. The case is scheduled to go before a Grand Jury on October 27, 2025, as reported by the Times Union.
Three witnesses took the stand during the preliminary hearing: the police investigator, Vogler's wife Blair, and Stephen Seiple, the Showcase Magazine employee. Their testimonies painted a vivid and disturbing picture of the events that transpired that day. Seiple’s account, in particular, underscored the chaos and horror of the attack, as he described seeing Vogler engulfed in flames and the frantic efforts to get help.
The community has rallied around Vogler and his family in the wake of the attack. A GoFundMe campaign organized by Blair Vogler has raised over $160,000 as of late September 2025, providing much-needed support for the councilman’s ongoing medical expenses. In a recent update, Blair wrote, "This process is slow, challenging, and sometimes frustrating, but Lee is determined, and we have faith that he will keep pushing forward. We’re so thankful to have you all by our side, and we continue to draw strength from the love and encouragement you provide."
Vogler, now in his late thirties, is a well-known figure in Danville. He made history in May 2012 by becoming the youngest person ever elected to the City Council at just 24 years old. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, earned in 2010, and currently serves as Managing Partner at Andrew Brooks Media Group, which owns Showcase Magazine. Vogler and his wife Blair share two children, adding a deeply personal dimension to the tragedy.
The attack has left many in Danville—and beyond—searching for answers. How could a personal conflict escalate to such a violent act? What impact will this have on the city’s leadership and the sense of safety among public officials? While the case continues to wind its way through the legal system, the facts presented in court have already sparked conversations about domestic strife, mental health, and the pressures faced by those in the public eye.
For Mary Alice Buck-Hayes, the woman at the center of the alleged motive, the ordeal has been doubly traumatic. Not only did she file for divorce from her husband shortly before the attack, but she has also been thrust into the spotlight by her husband’s violent actions and the resulting media coverage. As of now, she has not publicly commented on the allegations or the events that followed.
As the October 27 Grand Jury date approaches, all eyes will be on the Danville courthouse. The legal proceedings are expected to shed further light on the circumstances leading up to the attack and determine the next steps for Buck-Hayes, who remains in custody. Meanwhile, Vogler’s recovery continues, bolstered by the support of his family, friends, and the broader Danville community.
The attack on Lee Vogler is a stark reminder of how quickly personal grievances can spiral into public tragedy, especially when combined with the pressures of public service and the complexities of private relationships. While the full story may still be unfolding, the facts laid out in court offer a sobering glimpse into the human cost of violence fueled by jealousy and heartbreak.
As Danville looks toward healing, the resilience of those involved—and the community’s willingness to rally around them—stands as a testament to the enduring strength found in even the darkest of times.
