• Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler was set on fire in a targeted attack unrelated to his political work.
• The suspect, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, was arrested and charged with attempted murder.
• Vogler was airlifted to a burn unit, and his condition remains undisclosed.

Lee Vogler, a 38-year-old city councilman from Danville, Virginia, suffered severe injuries on Wednesday after being set on fire by 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes. The violent assault occurred at Vogler's workplace, Showcase Magazine, when Hayes forced his way into the office, doused Vogler with gasoline, and ignited flames as he attempted to escape. According to reports, the attack was motivated by personal matters and was not politically driven, as clarified by the police CBS News, India Times, and SFGate.

Vogler was quickly airlifted to a burn unit in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but details on his current condition have not been publicly shared. Eyewitness accounts from Andrew Scott Brooks, the magazine's owner, described a horrifying scene where Vogler was heard yelling for help before being chased outside and having flames ignited on him Newsweek and India Times.

The police apprehended Hayes shortly after the incident, and he faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. Local authorities emphasized that it was critical to address the rising violence against public officials across the country, pointing out that this incident stems from personal grievances rather than political motivations CBS News and SFGate.

Long-serving on the Danville City Council, Vogler is well-regarded in the community for his dedication, having established the initiative “Moving Danville Forward” to stimulate local development. Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin condemned the attack and extended his prayers for Vogler's recovery, reflecting the broader community's shock at the violence India Times and SFGate.