PULSE POINTS
WHAT HAPPENED: A Virginia councilman was doused with gasoline and set on fire outside his workplace on Wednesday.
WHO WAS INVOLVED: Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, and suspect Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29.
WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday morning in Danville, Virginia, outside the offices of Showcase Magazine on Main Street.
KEY QUOTE: “This type of senseless act of violence has to stop. Lee is a brother to me. He is one of the kindest, most genuine people I know.” – Showcase Magazine co-owner Andrew Brooks
IMPACT: Vogler was airlifted to a burn center and is reportedly awake and speaking; the suspect was arrested shortly after the attack.
IN FULL
A local Virginia official, Councilman Lee Vogler, was set on fire outside his workplace in a shocking attack on Wednesday. The incident occurred outside the offices of Showcase Magazine on Main Street in Danville.
According to the Danville Police Department, 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes entered the building with a large bucket of gasoline, poured it on Vogler, and set him on fire as he tried to flee. Witnesses reported seeing Vogler run outside while on fire.
“An individual forced his way into our office carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline and poured it on Lee,” said Andrew Brooks, who co-owns Showcase Magazine with Vogler, in a Facebook video, continuing: “Lee attempted to flee, ran to the front of the building—the individual followed him and set him on fire.”
Brooks added, “This type of senseless act of violence has to stop. Lee is a brother to me. He is one of the kindest, most genuine people I know.”
Vogler, a four-term Republican councilman who has served Danville for over 12 years, was treated at the scene before being airlifted to a burn center. Brooks confirmed that Vogler was “awake, speaking, and en route to the center in Lynchburg” and that he was able to identify his attacker.
Police apprehended Hayes, who fled the scene in a vehicle, shortly after the attack. Authorities confirmed that the incident was not politically motivated but rather stemmed from a personal matter between the two men.
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