Crime
Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler set on fire by Shotsie Hayes
DANVILLE, Va. — A Danville City Councilman was critically injured and airlifted to a regional medical facility Wednesday morning after being set on fire in what authorities believe was a targeted and personal attack.
According to the Danville Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 11:30 a.m. to the 700 block of Main Street following a report of a man who had been intentionally set on fire. Emergency personnel from the Danville Fire Department and the Danville Life Saving Crew also responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, first responders located the victim and arranged for his immediate air transport to a nearby trauma center. The full extent of his injuries has not been released.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the suspect entered the victim’s workplace, confronted him, and poured a flammable liquid on him. The two exited the building, at which point the suspect ignited the liquid, setting the victim on fire.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle; however, witnesses were able to provide a detailed description of both the suspect and the vehicle. A short time later, officers located and stopped the vehicle several blocks away and took the driver into custody without incident.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Shotsie Hayes, has been formally charged and remains in police custody.
Authorities have confirmed that the victim is Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler. Investigators believe the incident was driven by a personal dispute between Vogler and Hayes and was not related to Vogler’s official duties as a council member.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Further details will be released as they become available.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.