A horrifying story is developing in Virginia this Wednesday afternoon, as reports emerge that a Republican politician was doused in gasoline and set on fire in his place of work. Councilman J. Lee Vogler, 38, of Danville, Virginia, was apparently at work when the suspect entered his office and committed the horrific act. Early reports indicate that Vogler knew his attacker, but there's been no official word yet from law enforcement on an arrest.
The incident happened at the Danville offices of Showcase Magazine, a lifestyle publication that bills itself as highlighting "all that is magnificent about Southwest Virginia and bordering North Carolina. We show the unique personalities of the wonderfully diverse communities of Danville, Martinsville, South Boston, and surrounding areas."
Andrew Brooks, owner and publisher of Showcase Magazine (and presumably Vogler's day job boss), posted a video to the magazine's Facebook page saying the suspect forced his way into the office carrying a 5-gallon bucket of gas. Vogler attempted to escape, but the suspect caught up with him in the front of the office building.
Today, our coworker, Lee Vogler, was attacked in our office. An individual forced his way into our office carrying a 5-gallon bucket of gasoline, and poured the gasoline on Lee. Lee attempted to flee; [he] ran to the front of the building. The individual followed him and set him on fire.
Lee identified his attacker as a man named Shotsie Buck. We don't know if that's his real name or a nickname.
Lee is awake and talking and en route to the burn center in Lynchburg. Our hearts and prayers are with him. Everyone here at Showcase ... we don't even really know what to say. We're cooperating with the police.
A visibly emotional Brooks added, "This type of senseless act of violence has to stop. 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."
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Local law enforcement confirmed to ABC News that a man by the name of Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes is a suspect in the attack, with police noting "the attack stems from a personal matter not related to the victim’s position on Danville City Council or any other political affiliation."
All three Republicans on the 2025 statewide ticket, Winsome Sears, John Reid, and Jason Miyares, reacted with horror at the news that Vogler had been targeted in such a violent way.
Please join me in praying for Councilman Lee Vogler and for his family. We stand with Danville and support a full investigation into this attack.
— Lt. Governor of Virginia - Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) July 30, 2025
Violence is never the answer and must be condemned.
What happened in Danville is horrifying. A deranged individual broke into the offices of Showcase Magazine and set City Councilman J. Lee Vogler on fire.
— John Reid (@JohnReid4VA) July 30, 2025
Let me say this as clearly as I can: Violence has no place in our Commonwealth. No disagreement ever justifies hatred,…
REID: What happened in Danville is horrifying. A deranged individual broke into the offices of Showcase Magazine and set City Councilman J. Lee Vogler on fire.
Let me say this as clearly as I can: Violence has no place in our Commonwealth. No disagreement ever justifies hatred, threats, or brutality.
Today, we stand with J. Lee Vogler. We are praying for his full recovery, for strength in the days ahead, and for peace for his loved ones and the entire Danville community.This is about humanity. It’s about drawing a line and saying, “Enough.” We can disagree without dehumanizing. We can debate without descending into chaos.
Virginia is better than this. And we all have a role to play in keeping it that way.
I know Lee Vogler. He is a good friend and an even greater city councilman for Danville.
— Jason Miyares (@JasonMiyaresVA) July 30, 2025
Violence in the pursuit of the political is the definition of domestic terrorism. Even the mere threat of violence is terrorism — and we should all condemn it together.
Danville, Virginia, is located in southwest Virginia, right on the border with North Carolina. Lee Vogler has served on the city council since 2012, and earned the distinction of being the youngest person to be elected to that position. His current term ends in 2029.
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