Man Pours Bucket of Gasoline on Elected Official and Sets Him on Fire Outside Office, Police Say

NEED TO KNOW

• Police in Virginia allege Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, dumped a bucket of gasoline into Councilman Lee Vogler’s office and set him on fire

• Vogler, a four-term elected official in Danville, was airlifted to a burn center and was reportedly awake and speaking

• Authorities say the attack was fueled by a personal dispute and was not connected to Vogler’s role in public office

A Virginia elected official was doused with gasoline and set on fire outside his workplace Tuesday in a shocking broad-daylight attack — though authorities say the alleged attacker had personal, not political, grievances.

According to the Danville Police Department, officers responded just after 11:30 a.m. to reports of a man on fire outside the offices of Showcase Magazine on Main Street. Witnesses said a man entered the building with a large bucket, poured gasoline on City Councilman Lee Vogler, and lit him on fire as he ran outside.

“An individual forced his way into our office carrying a five gallon bucket of gasoline and poured it on Lee,” Andrew Brooks, who runs Showcase Magazine and co-owns it with Vogler, said in a Facebook video. “Lee attempted to flee, ran to the front of the building — the individual followed him and set him on fire.”

Vogler, 38, was treated at the scene before being airlifted to a burn center. Brooks said that the councilman was “awake, speaking, and en route to the center in Lynchburg” — and able to identify his attacker.

“This type of senseless act of violence has to stop,” Brooks said, visibly emotional. “Lee is a brother to me. He is one of the kindest, most genuine people I know.”

Police said the suspect, 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, fled in a vehicle but was arrested nearby shortly after the attack. He remains in custody, and police say charges are pending.

Officials confirmed that Hayes and Vogler knew each other and that the incident stemmed from a personal matter.

“This was not a random act, nor was it politically motivated,” the department wrote in a statement.

Vogler has served on the Danville City Council for over 12 years and is currently in his fourth term. Outside of government, he works in media and marketing as a partner at Andrew Brooks Media Group.

Danville police are asking anyone with information to call (434) 799-6510.

Read the original article on People