City Councilman Doused In Gasoline, Set On Fire In Shocking Attack

Danville City Council

A city councilman in Danville, Virginia was doused in gasoline and set on fire in broad daylight at his office on Wednesday.

Lee Vogler, 38, was attacked at the offices of Showcase Magazine, where he is currently employed, at around 11:30AM.

According to a statement from the Danville VA Police Department, “the suspect entered into the victim’s place of employment, confronted him and doused him with a flammable liquid. The victim and suspect exited the building, where the suspect then set the victim on fire.”

The suspect reportedly fled the scene, before being taken into police custody. Police identified Danville resident Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, as Vogler’s attacker.

“The attack stems from a personal matter not related to the victim’s position on Danville City Council or any other political affiliation,” said the police statement.

Vogler was airlifted to a regional medical facility where his injuries are being treated. It is not know, as yet, how extensive those injuries may be, although Andrew Brooks, publisher and owner of Showcase Magazine, said in a video that Voger was “awake and talking.”

“This type of senseless act of violence has to stop,” said Brooks. “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.”

Those within Virigina politics have released statements of support for Vogler, with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares writing on X, “I know Lee Vogler. He is a good friend and an even greater city councilman for Danville.”

Vogler has in his 4th term on the Danville City council, where he has served for more than 12 years.