Virginia City Councilman Set on Fire in Shocking Attack at Danville Office

Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler

A Virginia city councilman was doused in gasoline and set on fire Wednesday morning in a violent attack that authorities say stemmed from a personal dispute unrelated to politics.

Lee Vogler, a Danville City Councilman, was at the offices of Showcase Magazine, where he works, when a man entered and confronted him before pouring a flammable liquid over him, police said. The assailant and Vogler then exited the building, where the suspect ignited the liquid, setting Vogler on fire.

Emergency responders airlifted Vogler to a hospital. His current condition remains unknown, but initial reports indicate he was conscious and en route to a burn center in Lynchburg following the attack.

The suspect, identified by police as 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes of Danville, fled the scene but was arrested several blocks away. Authorities confirmed Hayes is in custody. He has not yet been formally charged or released a statement regarding the incident.

According to police, the attack was not politically motivated and was instead linked to a personal matter. "This was not related to Mr. Vogler’s role on the Danville City Council or to any political activity," officials said in a statement.

Despite the clarification, the assault comes amid a broader climate of increasing violence against public officials across the United States. In recent years, high-profile figures including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, President Donald Trump, and former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman have all faced assassination attempts or violent attacks, some of which were politically motivated.

Andrew Brooks, the publisher and owner of Showcase Magazine, addressed the incident in a video message. "This type of senseless act of violence has to stop," Brooks said. "You do not have the right as a human being to get upset with someone enough to lash out and attempt to harm them in any way—much less this way."

Danville Vice Mayor James Buckner also commented, asking the public to keep Vogler in their prayers.

The investigation into the attack is ongoing.