Police: Danville city council member doused with flammable liquid, set on fire

DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR)- Investigators in Danville said a city council member was doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire.
The alleged incident happened at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the 700 block of Main Street. According to the Danville Police Department, Lee Vogler, 38, of Danville, was airlifted to a regional medical center. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time.
"Based on witness information provided to officers at the scene, the suspect entered into the victim’s place of employment, confronted him and doused him with a flammable liquid. The victim and suspect exited the building, where the suspect then set the victim on fire," the press release stated.
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Police said the suspect left the scene, but a witness provided a description of their vehicle.
Shotsie Michael Hayes, 29, of Danville, was taken into custody during a traffic stop. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding, according to police. Hayes is currently being held in the Danville City Jail without bond.
"Based on the investigation at the time of this release, 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," according to the release.
U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith said he "is very concerned about the violent actions Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler. "Our prayers are with Councilman Vogler for recovery. Our civil society does not tolerate violent actions."
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine called the attack "deeply upsetting."
"I’m praying for Lee’s full recovery and for his family," said Kaine. "I’m thankful law enforcement swiftly identified and apprehended a suspect.
"Our prayers go out to the Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler who was violently attacked at his workplace earlier today," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "We pray for a swift recovery for Lee and peace to be on the entire Danville community."
Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, Abigail Spanberger, also commended law enforcement on their "swift action" in apprehending Hayes.
"I’m horrified by today’s attack against a sitting public servant in Danville. Adam and I are praying for City Councilman Vogler, his family, and the entire Danville community, wrote Spanberger. "I’m deeply grateful to Virginia's first responders for their swift action and the law enforcement officers who apprehended the suspect."
Danville City Mayor Alonzo Jones shared his thoughts on the incident involving council member Lee Volger.
"Today, our community was shaken by an unthinkable act of violence against Councilman Lee Vogler—our colleague, our friend, and someone we care about deeply, wrote Jones. "Lee is a member of our City Council family. And today, that family is hurting."
Jones continued, "Our prayers are with Lee and his loved ones. We are grateful to our first responders and law enforcement for their swift action. Our Council is close. We’ve worked through challenges together—and now, we face this heartbreak together. Please continue to pray for Lee and his family. We’re standing with him—and with each other."
“I am saddened and horrified by the attack on Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler," Democratic Party of Virginia chairman Lamont Bagby wrote on Facebook. "Violence has no place in our Commonwealth or politics. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this time, and we are praying for his full and swift recovery.”
This is a developing story. Look to WFXR.com for additional updates.