Court docs: Suspect in attack on City Councilman confessed

DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) – The man arrested for the attack Wednesday on Danville City Councilman J. Lee Vogler intended to kill him, according to a Danville Criminal Complaint obtained by WDBJ7. Police said the suspect confessed to them that he had committed the crime.

The documents, however, offer no motive for the attack, though police said Wednesday it was personal and not politically motivated.

The documents refer to extreme burns to Vogler, but no information has yet been released about his medical condition. Vogler was flown to a burn unit for treatment.

Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes was arrested July 30, 2025, for attempted first-degree murder after he allegedly poured gasoline on Vogler at Vogler’s workplace, then set him on fire outside the building. The two know each other, but no information has been released about what their relationship is.

Stay with WDBJ7 for updates on this developing story.