A Virginia metropolis council member was hospitalized after a person set him on fireplace after pouring a flammable liquid on him in his workplace on Wednesday, mentioned police.
Investigators consider the assault stemmed from a “private matter” and was unrelated to his politics or work as councilman, authorities mentioned in a Fb post.
The Danville Police Division recognized the sufferer as council member Lee Vogler, 38, who additionally works at an area journal.
Police say the suspect entered the native journal workplace as he was working, confronted him, and doused him in flammable liquid. Each males then left the constructing, and the 29-year-old suspect set Vogler on fireplace, police mentioned.
“The male sufferer was airlifted to a regional medical facility for therapy. The complete extent of his accidents aren’t identified on the time of this launch,” the Danville Police Division mentioned within the put up.
After the suspect fled, witnesses offered an outline of him and his car, in line with police. The car was stopped a number of blocks away from the incident, and the motive force was arrested and brought into custody.
Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, of Danville, was recognized because the suspect, officers mentioned.
“Primarily based on the investigation on the time of this launch, the sufferer and the suspect are identified to one another and the assault stems from a private matter not associated to the sufferer’s place on Danville Metropolis Council or another political affiliation,” the police assertion mentioned, with out elaborating.
Showcase Journal, the place Vogler works, offered an update on the assault and mentioned Vogler “sustained critical burn accidents and was transported to the Lynchburg burn heart for therapy.”
“We’re deeply shocked and saddened by this act of violence. Our ideas and prayers are with Lee and his household as he receives medical care. The Showcase Journal staff is absolutely cooperating with legislation enforcement as they proceed their investigation,” the journal mentioned in an announcement.
No different particulars have been offered concerning the incident by both the police division or the journal.
Showcase Journal proprietor and writer Andrew Brooks launched a video on social media and mentioned that Volger was working on the workplace when a person forcibly entered the constructing. He was carrying a five-gallon gasoline container and poured it on Volger, Brooks mentioned.
“Lee tried to flee, ran to the entrance of the constructing,” Brooks said. “The person adopted him and set him on fireplace.”
Afterward Wednesday, Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones confirmed to native ABC affiliate station WSET-13 that Volger was set on fireplace and referred to as for prayers.
“At the moment, our group was shaken by an unthinkable act of violence towards Councilman Lee Vogler—our colleague, our good friend, and somebody we care about deeply. Lee is a member of our Metropolis Council household. And in the present day, that household is hurting,” he mentioned in a statement.
His assertion added: “Our Council is shut. We’ve labored by way of challenges collectively—and now, we face this heartbreak collectively. Please proceed to hope for Lee and his household. We’re standing with him—and with one another.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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