In a terrifying incident that shocked the small city of Danville, Virginia, City Councilman Lee Vogler was set on fire on Wednesday morning, July 30, 2025, after an attacker doused him with gasoline at his workplace.
According to Danville police, the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, walked into Vogler’s office at Showcase Magazine carrying a large container of gasoline. He poured it on Vogler, and as they stepped outside the building, he lit the fire.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene around 11:30 a.m. Vogler, 38, was airlifted to a burn center in Lynchburg. Officials have not yet shared details about his condition.
Police say the attack was connected to a “personal matter” and not related to Vogler’s political role on the city council. Hayes was quickly arrested near the scene and is currently in custody facing multiple charges.
Vogler, who first joined the city council in 2012 as its youngest-ever member, is currently serving his fourth term while working as the field director at Showcase Magazine.
Community in Shock
Danville residents are stunned. Local leaders called the incident “horrific” and asked the community to keep Vogler and his family in their thoughts.
Police are still investigating what led to the attack, but officials stress that it appears to be a targeted, personal dispute rather than a random act of violence.