Authorities say Danville Councilman Lee Vogler knew his attacker and the assault stemmed from a personal matter, not Vogler’s service on the city council.

DANVILLE, Va. — A Danville city councilmember was airlifted to a regional hospital Wednesday after being set on fire in what authorities say was a personal attack unrelated to his political role.

Police say the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on July 30, when a man entered Councilman Lee Vogler’s workplace in the 700 block of Main Street and doused him with a flammable liquid. Both men exited the building, where the suspect ignited the liquid, setting Vogler on fire.

First responders from the Danville Fire Department and Danville Life Saving Crew rendered aid at the scene, and Vogler, 38, was transported by air to receive further treatment. He was taken to a burn unit at a hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and his condition wasn’t immediately known, Vogler’s father, Jack Vogler Sr., told The Associated Press. UNC Health declined to comment on Vogler’s condition on Wednesday afternoon

Witnesses provided police with a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Officers located and arrested 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes of Danville a short time later without incident. Hayes is charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.

In an emotional video posted on social media, Andrew Scott Brooks, the publisher and owner of Showcase Magazine, where Vogler works, recounted the harrowing attack. He said the suspect stormed into the office carrying a 5-gallon can of gasoline, doused Vogler with the liquid, chased him outside, and then set him on fire.

“Our door is locked,” Brooks told The Associated Press. “They forced their way into the office, and went to Lee. The next thing, Lee is running through the office, covered in gasoline, yelling for our officemate to call 911. The guy chased him outside and set him on fire.”

Authorities say Vogler and Hayes knew each other, and the assault stemmed from a personal matter, not Vogler’s service on the city council.

Vogler has served more than 12 years on Danville’s City Council and is currently in his fourth term. He is a managing partner at Andrew Brooks Media Group, which publishes local magazines and operates a music publishing company and branded merchandise business. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Vogler returned to his hometown in 2010 and founded the civic group “Moving Danville Forward.”

The investigation is ongoing.

Both of Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial candidates have condemned the attack on Councilman Lee Vogler and expressed support for the Danville community.

Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears wrote on social media, “Please join me in praying for Councilman Lee Vogler and his family. We stand with Danville and support a full investigation into this attack. Violence is never the answer and must be condemned.”

Rep. Abigail Spanberger also responded, saying, “I’m horrified by today’s attack against a sitting public servant in Danville. Adam and I are praying for City Councilman Vogler, his family, and the entire Danville community. I’m deeply grateful to Virginia’s first responders for their swift action and to the law enforcement officers who apprehended the suspect.”

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