Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler was attacked and set on fire by a man on Wednesday. According to a video on Facebook from Showcase Magazine, at 11:30 am the man forced his way into the office at Showcase Magazine in the 700 block of Main Street where Vogler is an employee.

The man then dumped a five gallon bucket of gasoline on Vogler after making his way into the building. Vogler then ran to the front of the building in an attempt to escape, but the man followed him and set him on fire.

Vogler was awake and talking after the attack. He was airlifted to the Burn Unit at UNC.

29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, of Danville, was identified as the suspect in the attack and was taken into custody following a traffic stop. 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.

Hayes has been charged with attempted first degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. He is currently being held in the Danville City Jail under no bond.

Due to the ongoing investigation, the Danville Police Department will not provide any further details about the incident itself, however charge information will be forthcoming.

Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones released the following statement:

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.

 

Our prayers are with Lee and his loved ones. We are grateful to our first responders and law enforcement for their swift action.

 

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.