City councilman set on fire in attack over personal matter; suspect arrested

DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ/Gray News) - Police say a city councilmember in Virginia was set on fire by a man who entered a local magazine office

Authorities say Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, is being treated at an area hospital after being set on fire.

According to Danville police, Vogler was attacked on Wednesday around 11:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Main Street.

Based on witness information, the suspect entered Vogler’s office, where he works at a local magazine, confronted him and doused him in flammable liquid, police said.

Both men then left the building and the 29-year-old suspect set Vogler on fire, police said.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, left the scene but was taken into custody after a traffic stop soon after.

Authorities said Vogler and Hayes know each other, and the attack stemmed from a personal matter that was not connected to the city councilman’s position.

Hayes has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding following the attack.

Information about Vogler’s condition was not immediately released.

Vogler has served on the Danville City Council for more than 12 years and is currently serving his 4th term. He’s married with two children.

Vogler is a managing partner at the Andrew Brooks Media Group, a marketing firm that publishes several regional magazines and operates a branded merchandise website and a music publishing company, according to its website.