Virginia city councilman, Lee Vogler, has been rushed to hospital after a man stormed into his office and poured gasoline over him before setting him alight.
The horrific incident occurred on Wednesday morning. Vogler, 39, was working in the Showcase Magazine office in Danville when suspect Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, walked in carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline according to an article from Fox News. Police claim that Hayes poured the bucket over Vogler and lit him on fire as he tried to escape through the premises.
Vogler currently remains in hospital and his burns are being treated although the extent of his injuries are currently not known.
What do we know about the suspect?
Vogler identified Hayes during the attack suggesting that the two knew each other. This made it a lot easier for police to apprehend him as he was caught just a few blocks from the crime scene and brought in without any trouble.
Some speculated that the attack was politically motivated however, a statement from Danville city police confirmed that “the victim and the suspect are known to each other and the attack stems from a personal matter not related to the victim’s position on Danville City Council.”
However, the authorities did not elaborate on how Vogler and Hayes were known to each other, leaving people to speculate on Hayes’ motivations for his alleged actions. Some believe Vogler may have had an affair. One things for certain, the suspect is no Luigi Mangione.
The response to the attack on Lee Vogler
In a statement released later that day, Showcase Magazine wrote, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this act of violence,” it went on to explain that the company was “fully cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigation.” Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones also addressed the attack, writing, “Our prayers are with Lee and his loved ones,” before going on to praise the first responders.
Online many also expressed their shock at such a horrific attack with one person writing “This is horrifying” before going on to speculate that the attack was a “premeditated act of domestic terror.”
On TikTok, some joked about the situation, bringing Vogler’s politics into it. One TikTok creator said, “probably shouldn’t have voted for the only two hospitals in the area to be privatized.”
However, as previously stated by police, the motivation for the attack doesn’t appear to be political. On X some armchair detectives found a photo of Vogler and the suspect along with the suspect’s wife enjoying themselves at what appears to be a funfair.
Lee Vogler pictured here with both the suspect and the suspect's soon-to-be ex-wife.
— Crash (@crashcampbell84) July 30, 2025
I gotta think this was a crime of passion & that Vogler was canoodling with this young lady.pic.twitter.com/APoM120MUv
Some mentioned the Hayes’ wife recently filed for divorce, leading many to speculate that Vogler may have been having an affair with Hayes’ wife.
While this has yet to be confirmed, it would certainly classify as a “personal matter” as the police put it. While many online try to make the matter a political one it appears that simply isn’t the case.
