Actions

Man who burned Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler intended to kill him, police say

Andrew Scott Brooks: 'Lee is running through the office covered in gasoline, yelling for our officemate to call 911'
Suspect arrested after Danville City Councilman set on fire
Danville City Councilman set on fire; suspect in custody
Showcase Magazine owner describes attack on Councilman Lee Vogler
Posted
and last updated

DANVILLE, Va. — Police say a man who doused a Virginia city councilman in gasoline and set him on fire told investigators he wanted the attack to be fatal, according to charging documents available Thursday.

Officials say the motive appears personal and unrelated to Lee Vogler’s work as a public official. After Wednesday's attack, the 38-year-old father of two was flown by medical helicopter to a burn unit in North Carolina. The hospital hasn't provided an update on his condition.

According to police, witnesses and Vogler himself, Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, 29, poured gasoline on the councilman after barging into his workplace at a local magazine. Buck-Hayes chased Vogler outside and ignited the gas, later telling police he intended for the flames to kill him, according to the documents.

Watch: Showcase Magazine owner describes attack on Councilman Lee Vogler

Showcase Magazine owner describes attack on Councilman Lee Vogler

Buck-Hayes has since been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. Edward Lavado, an attorney representing him, declined to comment to The Associated Press on Thursday.

At the scene, Vogler was able to tell multiple witnesses that Buck-Hayes had burned him, according to the charging documents. The complaint doesn't give details on how Buck-Hayes was taken into custody. The records were first reported by the Danville Register and Bee.

Vogler has served on the Danville City Council for more than a decade and is known as a fixture of the small city near the Virginia-North Carolina state line, about 140 miles north of Charlotte. The police documents list a Danville address for Buck-Hayes as well.

WATCH: Suspect arrested after Danville City Councilman set on fire

Suspect arrested after Danville City Councilman set on fire

His wife, Blair Vogler, issued a statement Thursday thanking first responders for helping him and speaking about his public service.

“As anyone who knows him would expect, he is facing this challenge the same way he’s faced every obstacle in his life—with courage, determination, and an unbreakable spirit,” the statement said. “Lee is a fighter."

Andrew Scott Brooks, editor and publisher of Showcase Magazine, says the attacker forced his way into the office despite the door being locked and went straight for Vogler.

“The next thing, Lee is running through the office covered in gasoline, yelling for our officemate to call 911,” Brooks said Wednesday.

Buck-Hayes was being held without bail in the Danville City Jail, records show.

This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.

📲: CONNECT WITH US

Blue Sky | Facebook | Instagram | X | Threads | TikTok | YouTube

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom, click here.

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.