Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, was doused in gasoline and set ablaze at his workplace on Wednesday morning in a shocking attack investigators say stemmed from a personal dispute, not political motivations.
Councilman Set on Fire in Daylight
At approximately 11:30 a.m. on July 30, police responded to reports of a man on fire outside the Showcase Magazine offices in downtown Danville, Virginia. Witnesses recount that the suspect, 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes of Danville, entered the building carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline, forcibly approached Vogler, and poured the flammable liquid over him as he attempted to flee.
Councilman Vogler ran to the front of the office building, but Hayes chased him outside and ignited the gasoline, setting him ablaze. Onlookers rushed to assist as flames engulfed Vogler’s clothing .
Danville Fire Department and Danville Life Saving Crew responded promptly, extinguishing the flames and stabilizing Vogler. He was airlifted to a burn center in Lynchburg—reports confirm he was conscious and speaking during transport.
Officers watched surveillance video and, using witness descriptions, stopped Hayes several blocks away in his vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident and remains jailed without bond on charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.
Personal Motive, Not Political
J. Lee Vogler was first elected to the Danville City Council in May 2012 at age 24, making him the youngest person ever to hold the post. Now in his fourth term, he has helped lead community initiatives such as tax reform and establishing a bike-share program and serves as chair of the Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority. He also works in media as a managing partner at Andrew Brooks Media Group, parent company of Showcase Magazine.
Police from the Danville Police Department emphasized that Vogler and Hayes knew each other, and that the assault was rooted in a personal conflict, not Vogler’s council work or political views. Authorities said the councilman’s position was unrelated to the attack ([turn0news15], [turn0news13], [turn0search3]).
Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin both condemned the violent act, offering support to Vogler and his family. They described the incident as “senseless violence” and pledged full cooperation with investigators.
Andrew Brooks, publisher and co-owner of Showcase Magazine, described the attack as “senseless” and called for an end to violence in a Facebook statement. He said Vogler is “one of the kindest, most genuine people” and urged support and vigilance from the public.
Community members and local leaders expressed shock, citing the brutality of setting someone on fire. Vice Mayor James Buckner reflected on the close-knit nature of the city council, saying: “We face this heartbreak together… please continue to pray for Lee and his family.”.
Investigation Ongoing
Danville police are continuing their investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and conducting interviews. No additional suspects have been named yet. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as charges are finalized.
Vogler was described as stable after airlift transport; however, the full extent of his injuries and expected recovery timeline remain undisclosed. Colleagues noted that he remained alert enough to help identify his attacker.
As officials continue to investigate and authorities seek more information, the community stands in united support for Vogler’s recovery and a commitment to preventing such incidents in public and professional spaces.
