DaNVILLE, Virginia.A man broke into a Virginia city councilman’s office at a local magazine on Wednesday, poured him in gasoline, and set him on fire, gravely injuring him. Authorities said the crime was motivated by a personal argument rather than politics.
Following the assault, Lee Vogler, 38, a member of the Danville City Council for almost ten years, was transported by medical helicopter to a burn center in North Carolina. According to police, Vogler was attacked by 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, who broke into his Showcase Magazine office, confronted him, then chased him outside before setting him on fire.
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Hayes was taken into custody on suspicion of aggravated malicious wounding and attempted first-degree murder.
Investigators emphasized that Vogler’s work as a public official had nothing to do with the motive, which seemed personal. Nevertheless, the attack heightened concerns about harassment and violence against elected leaders nationwide, especially as the lines separating their private and public lives become increasingly hazy.
The magazine’s publisher, Andrew Scott Brooks, stated that there is no excuse for snapping. We must put an end to this kind of senseless slaughter.
According to Brooks, there were two workers inside the structure at the time of the assault. After being drenched with gasoline, Vogler reportedly screamed for assistance as he rushed through the workplace, according to witnesses and police. According to the publisher, Hayes chased Vogler outside and started the fire while a coworker called for assistance.
Brooks said, “Our door is locked.” They went to Lee after forcing their way into the office. The next thing we know, Lee is screaming for our coworker to dial 911 while sprinting across the office, coated in gasoline.
According to authorities, Hayes was being held at the Danville City Jail without bond. A message including the suspect’s phone number was not immediately returned. The Danville Public Defender Office was contacted to inquire about their potential representation of the subject.
A monthly magazine about North Carolina and southwest Virginia is called Showcase Magazine. The magazine and a number of other Danville businesses share a modest two-story facility.
At the Vogler residence, a woman who opened the door and introduced herself as Vogler’s wife’s sister chose not to remark. A man at the Hayes address similarly chose not to comment.
Politicians and elected officials across Virginia swiftly denounced the assault.
Republican Governor Glenn Youngkins said in a statement, “We send our condolences to Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, who was brutally attacked at his workplace earlier today.” We pray for peace for the entire Danville town and for Lee to recover quickly.
Vogler did not appear to feel insecure at work or anywhere else, according to Brooks. Although everyone at the small-town media organization does a little bit of everything, Vogler works as a salesperson for the magazine.
According to Brooks, he writes stories about our neighborhood in addition to making sales.
According to Brooks, Vogler does that instinctively.
According to Brooks, serving on the municipal council is his passion. For a large portion of his adult life, he has been a valuable member of the community, and he enjoys being called when someone has a problem that he can help with. He was in his early 20s when he joined the city council. That is what he has made his life.
According to Brooks, Vogler is a devoted parent to his two children outside of work.
According to Brooks, he is the one who coaches their sports teams.
The distance between Danville and Charlotte, North Carolina, is roughly 140 miles (227 kilometers).
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From Richmond, Virginia, Diaz reported. This report was written by Associated Press writers John Raby of Charleston, West Virginia; Makiya Seminera of Raleigh, North Carolina; Claudia Lauer of Philadelphia; and Safiyah Riddle of Montgomery, Alabama.
