Virginia City Councilman Doused In Gasoline, Set Aflame In Horrific Attack

A city councilman from Danville, Virginia, was doused in gasoline and set on fire in a horrific attack on Wednesday, multiple reports have confirmed.

Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, was allegedly attacked by Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29 — who has since been placed under arrest — in the offices of Showcase Magazine. Hayes, according to the outlet’s publisher and local law enforcement, dumped a five-gallon bucket of gasoline over Vogler — and when Vogler ran out of the building, Hayes followed and set him on fire.

Vogler was able to identify his attacker at the scene and was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment. “Lee is awake and talking, and is en route to the burns center in Lynchburg,” Andrew Brooks, publisher of Showcase Magazine, said in a statement.

“Our hearts and prayers are with him. We don’t really know what to say,” Brooks added.

According to multiple reports, Vogler and the suspect knew each other prior to the attack, and the motive is not believed to be political.

“Please join me in praying for Councilman Lee Vogler and for his family. We stand with Danville and support a full investigation into this attack. Violence is never the answer and must be condemned,” Lt. Governor Winsome Sears responded to the attack with a call for prayer — and an investigation.

Please join me in praying for Councilman Lee Vogler and for his family. We stand with Danville and support a full investigation into this attack.

Violence is never the answer and must be condemned.

— Lt. Governor of Virginia – Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) July 30, 2025

John Reid, who is running to be Virginia’s next Lt. Governor, added, “What happened in Danville is horrifying. A deranged individual broke into the offices of Showcase Magazine and set City Councilman J. Lee Vogler on fire. Let me say this as clearly as I can: Violence has no place in our Commonwealth. No disagreement ever justifies hatred, threats, or brutality.”

“Today, we stand with J. Lee Vogler. We are praying for his full recovery, for strength in the days ahead, and for peace for his loved ones and the entire Danville community. This is about humanity. It’s about drawing a line and saying, ‘Enough.’ We can disagree without dehumanizing. We can debate without descending into chaos. Virginia is better than this. And we all have a role to play in keeping it that way,” he continued.

What happened in Danville is horrifying. A deranged individual broke into the offices of Showcase Magazine and set City Councilman J. Lee Vogler on fire.

Let me say this as clearly as I can: Violence has no place in our Commonwealth. No disagreement ever justifies hatred,…

— John Reid (@JohnReid4VA) July 30, 2025