Photos of Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, the man accused of setting Virginia councilman Lee Vogler on fire, have surfaced online via a public wedding site. The site confirms that Hayes married Mary Alice Buck-Hayes on 23 September 2023 in Ruffin, North Carolina, and includes several images of the couple, alongside details about their ceremony and celebration. The gallery shows Hayes smiling with his now ex-wife, painting a stark contrast to his alleged involvement in a brutal assault less than a year later.
Hayes, 29, allegedly attacked Vogler inside the offices of Showcase Magazine, dousing the 38-year-old councilman in petrol and setting him alight. Vogler fled but was reportedly chased outside before being ignited. He was later airlifted to a regional burn centre and described as 'awake and talking'. Police believe the incident stemmed from a 'personal matter', and not Vogler's public position. Hayes, whose wife filed for divorce two weeks before the attack, was arrested shortly after the incident without resistance. Charges are pending.
As the investigation unfolds, the attack has sent shockwaves through the Danville community, raising questions about what led to such a violent confrontation. While authorities have confirmed there was a personal connection between Hayes and Vogler, the full details remain under wraps. Meanwhile, the emergence of Hayes's wedding photos and personal history has added another disturbing layer to a case that has left many stunned—and a respected public official fighting to recover.
