Danville, Virginia – Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, was critically injured and airlifted to a regional medical facility Wednesday morning after being doused with gasoline and set on fire in what authorities describe as a targeted attack stemming from a personal dispute. The violent incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Main Street at the offices of Showcase Magazine, where Vogler works as a sales director.
According to the Danville Police Department, officers, along with the Danville Fire Department and Danville Life Saving Crew, responded to reports of a man being intentionally set on fire. Witnesses reported that the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes of Danville, forced his way into the magazine’s locked office carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline. Hayes confronted Vogler, poured the flammable liquid on him, and chased him as he attempted to flee. Outside the building, Hayes ignited the gasoline, setting Vogler ablaze.
First responders provided immediate medical attention at the scene before Vogler was airlifted to the burn unit at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill for treatment. As of Wednesday afternoon, Vogler was reported to be awake and communicative, though the full extent of his injuries remains undisclosed.
Witnesses provided police with a description of the suspect and his vehicle, enabling officers to locate and apprehend Hayes several blocks from the scene during a traffic stop. He was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held without bond at the Danville City Jail. Hayes faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.
Investigators have confirmed that Vogler and Hayes were acquainted, and the attack stemmed from a personal matter unrelated to Vogler’s role as a city councilman or any political affiliation. While police have not disclosed specific details about the nature of the dispute, reports indicate that Hayes’ wife, Mary Alice Buck-Hayes, filed for divorce two weeks prior to the incident, though no direct connection to the attack has been confirmed.
Andrew Brooks, publisher and owner of Showcase Magazine, shared an emotional account of the incident in a video posted to the publication’s Facebook page. “This type of senseless act of violence has to stop,” Brooks said, emphasizing that no grievance justifies such an attack. He noted that a nearby paralegal, Martin Garrett, assisted in extinguishing the flames, and another employee called 911 during the chaotic scene.
The attack has shaken the Danville community, prompting an outpouring of support from local and state officials. Mayor Alonzo Jones described the incident as “an unthinkable act of violence against our colleague, our friend, and someone we care about deeply.” Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed prayers for Vogler’s swift recovery and peace for the community, while Virginia State Senator Tammy Brankley Mulchi and other leaders condemned the violence and voiced support for Vogler and his family.
Vogler, a Danville native, has served on the City Council for over 12 years, having been elected in May 2012 at the age of 24, making him the youngest person ever to hold the position. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, he is a managing partner at the Andrew Brooks Media Group and a dedicated public servant known for his passion for community revitalization. He is married to his wife, Blair, and is a father to two young children.
The Danville Police Department continues to investigate the incident and has stated that additional details will be released as the investigation progresses. The community remains united in support of Vogler, with calls for prayers and a swift recovery echoing across social media and public statements.
