A local Virginia city councilman was set on fire in a Wednesday morning attack that police say stemmed from a personal, rather than political, matter.
Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, was targeted in his office at Showcase Magazine, where the suspect dumped a five-gallon bucket of gasoline on him. Vogler then fled the building, but the suspect followed and set him on fire. The extent of Vogler’s injuries is unknown, according to police. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
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Authorities identified the attacker as Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, of Danville, Virginia. He was taken into custody.
“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,” the Danville Police Department said in a statement.
Police did not reveal further details amid the investigation, but noted more information on charges would be disclosed soon.
Andrew Brooks, publisher and owner of Showcase Magazine, said Vogler was conscious and able to talk. The colleague added that Vogler is being treated in Lynchburg, Virginia.
“This type of senseless act of violence has to stop,” Brooks said in a video posted on Facebook. “You do not have the right as a human being to get upset with someone enough to lash out and attempt to harm them, in any way, much less this way.”
Virginia Republicans widely condemned the violence committed against Vogler.
“Violence in the pursuit of the political is the definition of domestic terrorism. Even the mere threat of violence is terrorism — and we should all condemn it together,” Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, who noted he is friends with the victim, said on social media.
“Political violence has no place in our democracy. Point blank,” the Virginia Senate GOP said. “The Virginia Senate Republican Caucus is praying for Councilman Lee Vogler and his family in the wake of this senseless and tragic event. Justice will prevail — and the coward responsible will be held accountable.”
John Reid, who is running for Virginia lieutenant governor, also responded to the news.
“Let me say this as clearly as I can: Violence has no place in our Commonwealth. No disagreement ever justifies hatred, threats, or brutality,” Reid said. “Today, we stand with J. Lee Vogler. We are praying for his full recovery, for strength in the days ahead, and for peace for his loved ones and the entire Danville community.”
In 2012, Vogler became the youngest person ever elected to the body at age 24.
“At this time, we are asking for prayers for our colleague and his family,” Danville City Council Mayor Alonzo Jones told the Washington Examiner. “More information is forthcoming.”
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In recent years, an increasing number of attacks have been committed against public officials. Just last month, a gunman killed a Minnesota lawmaker and injured another. And in April, the home of Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) was set on fire in what was believed to be an antisemitic attack.
Seamus Hughes, a researcher at the University of Nebraska Omaha’s National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center, said authorities made about 180 arrests for threatening public officials last year. At least 75 arrests were made in 2023 over threats to public officials, according to a May 2024 report from West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center.