A man from the UK has been accused of setting a US politician on fire, causing severe injuries, reportedly due to suspicions of infidelity with his wife. Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, 29, was taken into custody for alleged attempted first-degree homicide after supposedly dousing 38-year-old Lee Vogler with a flammable substance and lighting it in Danville, Virginia.
During a preliminary hearing, a Danville police officer stated that the suspect, originally from Devon, had recently learned of Mr. Vogler’s extramarital affair with his wife. The veracity of these allegations remains uncertain at this time.
Reportedly, Buck-Hayes admitted to purchasing gasoline from a gas station with the intention of harming the councilor at his workplace. Blair Vogler, the victim’s wife, disclosed that her husband sustained third and second-degree burns covering 60% of his body, along with burn and septic shock injuries and lung damage from smoke inhalation.
A colleague of Mr. Vogler at Showcase Magazine, Stephen Seiple, recounted witnessing the disturbing incident where his coworker was set ablaze. Mr. Seiple described how Mr. Vogler called for help while attempting to escape the assailant who had thrown gasoline on him.
Following the attack, witnesses provided a description of Buck-Hayes and his vehicle to authorities who swiftly arrested him a few blocks away from the scene. Interestingly, Buck-Hayes’ wife had filed for divorce just two weeks before the incident.
In support of her husband’s medical expenses, Mrs. Vogler initiated a GoFundMe campaign, raising $160,000. She recently updated well-wishers on her husband’s progress after another skin graft procedure, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support and encouragement.
Buck-Hayes is scheduled to appear in court again on October 27.