Shotsie Buck-Hayes doused a Virginia city councilman with gasoline and chased down the panicked politician to set him alight — leaving the victim with burns on 60 percent of his body, officials charge per report by CBS News.
According to authorities, Buck-Hayes, 29, barged into an office building in the Old Dominion state, where 38-year-old Lee Vogler — the youngest member of Danville’s City Council — works as a managing partner of a media marketing firm.
Cops say Buck-Hayes was carrying a five-gallon bucket containing flammable liquid and poured it on his acquaintance Vogler, who was unable to outrun his assailant and was soon engulfed in flames.
Buck-Hayes fled the scene but was nabbed a few blocks away after brave Vogler identified him as his attacker, lawmen say.
A criminal complaint obtained by Cardinal News, states that the suspected firebug admitted he’d “dumped gasoline on Vogler” and that “his intention was to kill” him.
The critically injured Republican was airlifted to a regional medical facility for treatment — and friends say the married father of two is expected to be hospitalized for at least six months.
Investigators have not released a possible motive, but believe the attack was based on a personal dispute and not related to politics.
Court records show that Buck-Hayes’ wife filed for divorce just over two weeks before the attack on Vogler, per NBC News.
The accused is charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. He’s being held at a psychiatric facility under a temporary detention order. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Sheriff Mike Mondul explains Buck-Hayes had been “exhibiting behaviors that were problematic” on the day of the attack, so he was transferred from jail to the mental health center.
Fellow city council member Bryant Hood says, “We’re continuously praying, almost every hour on the hour, and that’s exactly what [Vogler] would do for us.”
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