DANVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Hours after an attack on a Danville councilman, many members of the community, his friends, and fellow city council members are in shock and wondering why an attack like this happened in their neighborhood.
The Danville Police Department was called to the 700 block of Main Street on Wednesday, just before noon, for reports of a man being set on fire. Police said the man set on fire was Councilman Lee Vogler. The Danville Police said this incident occurred at Vogler’s private office at Showcase Magazine.
DPD said a man walked into Vogler’s office with a bucket full of a flammable liquid and threw it on him. Witnesses told ABC13 that the men walked outside, and that is when the man set Vogler on fire and then fled the scene.
Danville police were able to track down the suspect, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, thanks to witnesses on the scene. Hayes is facing the following charges:
- Attempted First Degree Murder
- Aggravated Malicious Wounding
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Danville Police said this attack was not because of Vogler’s political career, and that both men did know each other.
Since the attack, many in the community and the surrounding area have been trying to determine what prompted this attack. Vogler’s colleague, Councilman Dr. Gary Miller, spoke with ABC13’s Hayden Robertson about the attack.
“Well, I was stunned,” Dr. Miller said. “The mayor called, and just like a lightning bolt. I just could not believe I was hearing what he was saying.”
Dr. Miller told ABC13 that he never thought he’d see this type of violence in his community.
“He’s a friend; I know his wife, his children and I’ve watched them all grow up,” Dr. Miller said. “This doesn’t happen. I mean to see something this bad happen to a friend, a colleague; I just can’t believe it.”
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The longtime Danville public servant said hearing how Vogler was attacked shook him to his core.
“This is something that happens in faraway cities or New York or London,” Dr. Miller said. “You know, people set on fire; it just doesn’t happen here.”
Councilman Vogler has made friends all across the Commonwealth, including Lynchburg councilman Chris Faraldi. Faraldi shared with ABC13’s Hayden Robertson that he was having lunch with his wife when he got the call about the attack.
“Barbaric, shocking, horrific, evil,” Faraldi said. “It’s really hard to put words around it; to give some sense of what happened, and I’m just praying more than anything else that he and his family are okay.”
Faraldi shared that Vogler reached out to him after he got elected to the Lynchburg City Council. Faraldi said Vogler became a mentor to him and that they would bounce ideas off each other that they thought would help the communities they serve.
“We both represent similar cities,” Faraldi said. “There’s no stronger advocate for Danville than Lee Vogler. Admittedly, I kinda look to him as what a young local leader can look like, so to see this happen–man, it’s shocking. And so I, again, more than anything else, I’m really hopeful that he can recover and get right back to work.”
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The Lynchburg councilman had some tough words for Shotsie Hayes.
“I hope you are locked up for the rest of your life, and that you don’t see the light of day in the free world,” Faraldi said.
Danville families are heartbroken by the attack. Joel Denney, pastor of Calvary Chapel in Danville, said he was shocked by the news when he first read it.
“I was reading the city news alert, and I could not believe what I was reading,” Denney said. “Then, I saw that this was Lee Vogler, and it was shocking. It seems like something that stems from evil.”
Denney said that while he does not know Vogler personally, he said Vogler is passionate about his community.
“He’s done a lot for the city and for the people, and I really believe that he cares about the city and the people,” Denney said. “It’s heartbreaking to know that the place that he pours so much into, and then something like this happens.”
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All of them said they are in Vogler’s corner and standing beside him in this difficult time. All of them are asking to keep praying for Lee, his wife, children, and family.
“We need to pray right now,” Dr. Miller said. “Pray Lee, pray for our city council, and pray for our city. All of us on the council are very close, and we want him to heal and recover and get back to us when he is ready.”
“Danville is not making the comeback that it is without Lee Vogler,” Faraldi said. “More than anything, I’m really hopeful that he can recover and get right back to work.”
“We’re praying for you, we’re praying for your family, we’re praying that you heal and take the time you need,” Denney said. “And just know that Danville loves you, and we’re praying.”
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Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones also released a statement after the attack:
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. Lee is a member of our City Council family. And today, that family is hurting. 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.”
ABC13 has reached out to learn more about Vogler’s condition; so far, we have not received an update. Danville City Councilman James Buckner told ABC13 that Vogler was airlifted to UNC Chapel Hill for treatment.
