Man sentenced months after guilty plea for setting Virginia councilman on fire

DANVILLE, Va. (WTVD) -- The man who pleaded guilty in April to setting a Danville City Councilman on fire in July 2025 was given his prison sentence on Thursday.

Shotsie Buck-Hayes will only serve 40 years in prison. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 10 years for aggravated malicious wounding and attempted first-degree murder for his attack on Lee Vogler.

The judge imposed a life sentence with 35 years to serve on the malicious wounding conviction and another 10 years for attempted first-degree murder.

This is the maximum sentence allowed under Virginia sentencing guidelines.

Buck-Hayes attacked Vogler while he was at work by pouring gasoline on him and setting him on fire. Prosecutors say the attack was planned because Buck-Hayes drove past Vogler’s workplace to purchase the gas before the assault.

Vogler and his family spoke publicly for the first time about the assault, describing the lasting physical and emotional impact, the station reports.

Attorneys for Buck-Hayes say they plan to appeal the sentence. Buck-Hayes’ attorneys say he’s not an American citizen and will probably return to his native county the United Kingdom, in the future.

As part of the sentencing, Buck-Hayes can never have any contact with the Vogler family.

The Attack

Danville police say that on July 30, 2025, Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes allegedly barged into Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler's office at a magazine. He doused Vogler with gasoline and chased him outside.

Once they were outside, investigators say Buck-Hatyes ignited the gas. He then left the scene and was stopped by officers shortly after and taken into custody. According to court documents, he told police that he intended for the flames to kill him (Vogler).

Vogler, who was elected to the city council in 2012 at the age of 24, was working as the director of sales at Showcase Magazine when he was attacked.

After the attack, he was flown to the UNC Burn Center, where he spent months and had numerous surgeries.

He and his wife posted health updates on social media.