BREAKING: Virginia City Councilman Doused in Gas, Set on FIRE Inside His Office

A lunatic broke into a Virginia city councilman’s office this morning, then proceeded to pour a bucket of gas on him and set him on fire.

Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler was airlifted to the hospital following the horrendous attack.

Absolutely sickening.

Here’s what we know so far:

BREAKING – Virginia lawmaker, Virginia city councilman Lee Vogler, has been doused with gasoline and set on fire at his office. pic.twitter.com/YlR1NpYlTj

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) July 30, 2025

🚨BREAKING: VIRGINIA LAWMAKER DOUSED IN GASOLINE & SET ON FIRE INSIDE HIS OFFICE

Councilman J. Lee Vogler was ambushed in broad daylight, doused with 5 gallons of gas and ignited.

He was airlifted to a burn center in critical condition.
Police say it was “personal,” not… pic.twitter.com/g2lb4YAMye

— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) July 30, 2025

BREAKING: VIRGINIA LAWMAKER DOUSED IN GASOLINE & SET ON FIRE INSIDE HIS OFFICE

Councilman J. Lee Vogler was ambushed in broad daylight, doused with 5 gallons of gas and ignited.

He was airlifted to a burn center in critical condition.

Police say it was “personal,” not political. Suspect is in custody.

This is madness.

29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes was identified as the suspect.

He fled the scene, but was arrested by law enforcement just a few blocks away.

Reportedly, these are photos of Hayes:

🚨Attempted Murderer:
Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes 😡
Prayers going out to Danville Councilman Lee Vogler of Virginia.
This gross, mentally ill freak covered Lee with gasoline and set him on fire in broad daylight. #deathpenalty pic.twitter.com/i1nJIcaq9Z

— Alex Weaver 🇺🇸🦋 (@alexweaver4510) July 30, 2025

Vogler’s condition at this time is unknown, though he was conscious just after the attack.

Hopefully, he will be able to make a full recovery.

The New York Post has more details:

Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, allegedly barged into Showcase Magazine, a local monthly publication, and dumped a five-gallon bucket of gasoline on Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler around 11:30 a.m., according to the Danville Police Department and the outlet’s publisher.

Vogler, 38, managed to escape the office and ran to the front of the building, but the monster followed him and set him on fire.

First responders rendered aid to the pol, who identified his suspected attacker at the harrowing scene, before he was airlifted to a hospital in North Carolina.

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“Lee is awake and talking, and is en route to the burns center in Lynchburg,” Showcase Magazine publisher Andrew Brooks said through tears in a video published on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon.

“Our hearts and prayers are with him,” he went on. “We don’t really know what to say.”

The extent of Vogler’s injuries is unknown.

Police say that Hayes and Vogler knew each other prior to the attack.

The motivation for the attack appears personal, rather than political or random.

Per ABC News:

It appears Vogler and Hayes know 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,” police said.

Vogler, who was elected to the city council in 2012 at the age of 24, also works as the director of sales at Showcase Magazine, where he was attacked.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this act of violence,” Showcase Magazine said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Lee and his family as he receives medical care. The Showcase Magazine team is fully cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigation.”

Please keep Vogler in your prayers. This is truly horrific.