(CNN) After a man police claim he knows set a Danville, Virginia, city council member on fire Wednesday morning, a suspect has been taken into custody.
According to the police statement, the incident is the result of a personal issue unrelated to the victim’s membership in the Danville City Council or any other political affiliation.
Police reported in a news statement that the suspect, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, approached Lee Vogler’s workplace, confronted him, and doused him with an unidentified flammable liquid.
Vogler was attacked at the headquarters of Showcase Magazine, according to Andrew Brooks, the publisher and owner of the publication.
In a social media video, Brooks said that the man poured gasoline on Lee after forcing his way into our workplace with a five-gallon pail.
According to Brooks, the suspect pursued Vogler, 38, when he tried to escape.
According to the police statement, when the victim and suspect left the building, the suspect set the victim on fire.
Although witnesses described Buck Hayes and his car, he left the area.
Vogler was able to identify his suspected assailant, according to Brooks. For medical care, he was airlifted. According to investigators, the extent of Vogler’s injuries is now unknown.
Police have charged Buck Hayes with aggravated malicious wounding and attempted first-degree murder.
According to a police update, he is being held without bond at Danville City Jail.
CNN is trying to find out if Buck Hayes has a lawyer.
According to his biography on the City Council’s website, Vogler, a native of Danville, was elected to the City Council in May 2012 as the youngest member ever.
According to the profile, he is the managing partner of Andrew Brooks Media Group, a multimedia company that distributes local periodicals including Showcase Magazine. According to an article on the magazine’s website, he is also the director of sales at Showcase Magazine.
Prayers for Vogler
Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and other officials stated they were praying for Vogler and requested others to do the same.
Youngkin wrote on social media, “We pray for a speedy recovery for Lee and peace for the entire Danville community.”
In a statement to CNN, Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones stated, “At this time, we are asking for prayers for our colleague and his family.”
In the social media video, Brooks stated that this kind of needless bloodshed must end. As a human being, you have no right to become so angry with someone that you want to hurt them in any form, much less in this manner.
Additionally, Vogler and his family were prayed for by the publication.
The magazine stated, “This act of violence deeply shocks and saddens us.” As law enforcement pursues its investigation, the Showcase Magazine crew is completely assisting them.
State Senator Tammy Brankley Mulchi of Virginia stated she supports efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice and denounced the extremely disturbing crime.
The senator wrote in a social media post, “I have had the pleasure of getting to know Lee over the last couple of years, and the one thing I know that he loves more than representing the people of Danville is the love of his family.” During this trying time, I wish for a speedy and full recovery for him.
Danville is located on the North Carolina border in southern Virginia. It is roughly an hour north of Durham, North Carolina, and an hour south of Lynchburg.
