A local councilman in Virginia was doused in several gallons of gasoline and set on fire on the morning of July 30 and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
At roughly 11:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, 29-year-old suspect Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes barged into the offices of Showcase Magazine, a local publication, and proceeded to dump a five gallon bucket filled with gasoline onto Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler (R). The 38-year-old politician was able to escape the office, but Hayes still managed to catch up with him at the front of the building, and proceeded to set Vogler on fire.
BREAKING: Virginia city councilman Lee Vogler (R) was just SET ON FIRE in his office
Police say the suspect, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, entered Vogler’s office, poured a bucket of gasoline on him, and set him on fire.
He’s currently in the hospital with serious burns pic.twitter.com/ADH3E7ifYV
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 30, 2025
The attack was witnessed by Showcase Magazine publisher Andrew Brooks, who published an emotional video to Facebook soon after the incident, telling viewers that “this type of senseless act of violence has to stop.”
Brooks explained in the video that Hayes had “forced his way” into the magazine’s offices and soaked Vogler in gasoline, adding: “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.”
As of Wednesday evening, the extent of Vogler’s injuries is still unclear, though reports indicate that first responders rendered aid to the politician at the scene before he was airlifted to a nearby hospital in North Carolina. He was later transported to a burn center in Lynchburg, Virginia. According to Brooks, Vogler was awake and talking to police at the scene of the attack, and was even able to identify his attacker to the police.
Hayes fled the scene after setting Vogler on fire, but was later captured in his vehicle just a few blocks away from the scene of his horrific crime. Hayes was taken into police custody and has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.
Officials have claimed that the attack was “personal,” not political, and confirmed that Vogler and Hayes knew each other prior to the horrific attack.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) expressed his well-wishes for Vogler’s speedy recovery in a pt on X, writing: “Our prayers go out to Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler who was violently attacked at his workplace earlier today. We pray for a swift recovery Lee and for peace to be on the entire Danville community.”
Our prayers go out to Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler who was violently attacked at his workplace earlier today. We pray for a swift recovery Lee and for peace to be on the entire Danville community.
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) July 30, 2025
The Virginia Young Republicans organization also issued a statement on X about the horrifying attack.
“We are shocked by the horrific attack on our friend & fellow young Republican, Danville Councilman Lee Vogler. Please join us in praying for Lee, his family & the entire Danville community. We condemn this senseless act of violence and stand united with him,” the post read.
We are shocked by the horrific attack on our friend & fellow young Republican, Danville Councilman Lee Vogler.
Please join us in praying for Lee, his family & the entire Danville community. We condemn this senseless act of violence and stand united with him. pic.twitter.com/aN3kwzcTR6
— Virginia Young Republicans (@VirginiaYRs) July 30, 2025
Vogler first took office in the Danville City Council in May 2012 at the age of 24, becoming the youngest person ever elected to that position. He previously graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. He is also a managing partner for Andrew Brooks Media Group, and was appointed to the Virginia Small Business Commission by Gov. Youngkin in July 2022.
The post Republican Politician Doused With Gasoline, Set On Fire By Deranged Attacker appeared first on The GOP Times.
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Author: Anastasia Boushee
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