The city of Danville, Virginia is reeling today after one of the city’s councilmen was airlifted to a nearby burn center after a man poured gasoline on him and set him on fire inside his workplace on Wednesday.
According to multiple reports, City Council member Lee Vogler, 39, of Danville, was working in the Showcase Magazine office at about 11 a.m. local time, when Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, of Danville, allegedly forced his way into the building carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline.
According to the Danville Police Department, Hayes poured the gasoline on Vogler as he tried to run to the front of the building and then lit him on fire.
Despite the brutal attack, Vogler reportedly identified Hayes as the man who set him on fire, helping authorities make a quick arrest after Hayes allegedly fled the scene, police said.
Hayes was stopped a few blocks away and taken into custody without incident.
Vogler was airlifted to a regional medical facility for treatment, officials said.
“Based on the investigation at the time of this release, the victim and the suspect are known to each other and the attack stems from a personal matter not related to the victim’s position on Danville City Council or any other political affiliation,” according to a statement from the department.
According to multiple reports, Vogler and the suspect knew each other prior to the attack, and the motive is not believed to be political.
Vogler’s boss Andrew Brooks, publisher of Showcase Magazine, said in a statement: “Lee is awake and talking, and is en route to the burns center in Lynchburg.”
“Our hearts and prayers are with him. We don’t really know what to say,” Brooks added.
Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones said the Southern Virginia community was shaken by the act of violence.
“Lee is a member of our City Council family. And today, that family is hurting,” Jones wrote in a statement. “Our prayers are with Lee and his loved ones. We are grateful to our first responders and law enforcement for their swift action. Our Council is close. We’ve worked through challenges together—and now, we face this heartbreak together. Please continue to pray for Lee and his family. We’re standing with him—and with each other.”
Top Republican and Democratic lawmakers from Virginia quickly turned to social media to show their support for Vogler, and to condemn the barbaric attack.
“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
Vogler was elected to Danville City Council in May 2012, becoming the youngest person to hold the position at age 24, according to the city’s website.
He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 and serves as sales director at Showcase Magazine.
According to Fox News, Hayes is charged with attempted first degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding, according to officials.
He is being held in the Danville City Jail without bond.