Virginia Councilman Set on Fire by Attacker at Office, Police Say

Investigators believe the attack stemmed from a ‘personal matter’ and was unrelated to his politics or work as councilman, authorities said in a Facebook post.

Danville City Councilman J. Lee Vogler. City of Danville, Virginia, Official Website

A Virginia city council member was hospitalized after a man set him on fire after pouring a flammable liquid on him in his office on Wednesday, said police.

Investigators believe the attack stemmed from a “personal matter” and was unrelated to his politics or work as councilman, authorities said in a Facebook post.

The Danville Police Department identified the victim as council member Lee Vogler, 38, who also works at a local magazine.

Police say the suspect entered the local magazine office as he was working, confronted him, and doused him in flammable liquid. Both men then left the building, and the 29-year-old suspect set Vogler on fire, police said.

“The male victim was airlifted to a regional medical facility for treatment. The full extent of his injuries are not known at the time of this release,” the Danville Police Department said in the post.

After the suspect fled, witnesses provided a description of him and his vehicle, according to police. The vehicle was stopped several blocks away from the incident, and the driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, of Danville, was identified as the suspect, officials said.

“Based on the investigation at the time of this release, 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 or any other political affiliation,” the police statement said, without elaborating.

Showcase Magazine, where Vogler works, provided an update on the attack and said Vogler “sustained serious burn injuries and was transported to the Lynchburg burn center for treatment.”

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by this act of violence. 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,” the magazine said in a statement.

No other details were provided about the incident by either the police department or the magazine.

Showcase Magazine owner and publisher Andrew Brooks released a video on social media and said that Volger was working at the office when a man forcibly entered the building. He was carrying a five-gallon gasoline container and poured it on Volger, Brooks said.

“Lee attempted to flee, ran to the front of the building,” Brooks said. “The individual followed him and set him on fire.”

Later on Wednesday, Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones confirmed to local ABC affiliate station WSET-13 that Volger was set on fire and called for prayers.

“Today, our community was shaken by an unthinkable act of violence against Councilman Lee Vogler—our colleague, our friend, and someone we care about deeply. Lee is a member of our City Council family. And today, that family is hurting,” he said in a statement.

His statement added: “Our Council is close. We’ve worked through challenges together—and now, we face this heartbreak together. Please continue to pray for Lee and his family. We’re standing with him—and with each other.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.