Incident in Danville: Councilman Attacked

The Danville Police Department has reported that lawmakers in the Virginia city were hospitalized after being drenched in gasoline and set on fire during work hours on Wednesday.

Officials revealed on Facebook that a suspect, a 29-year-old named Shotsy Michael Buckhayes, has been charged with “first-degree attempted murder and malicious injury.” He allegedly poured a “flammable liquid” on City Councilman Lee Volgler and ignited it.

According to the police, Buckhayes was not held at the Danville City Jail after the incident. DPD personnel responded around 11:30 AM following reports of a man “on fire.” Vogler was subsequently airlifted to a local medical facility for care.

“Witnesses informed officers that the suspect entered the victim’s workplace, confronted him, and then poured the flammable liquid onto him,” the police stated. “After that, both the suspect and the victim exited the building, where the suspect set the victim ablaze.”

Following the attack, the suspect fled the scene, but witnesses provided descriptions of both him and his vehicle. The vehicle was located a few blocks away, and the driver was apprehended without incident, according to police.

In a separate Facebook update, Andrew Brooks, affiliated with Showcase Magazine, mentioned that an individual entered their office with a five-gallon bucket of gasoline and attacked Vogler. “They forced their way in and poured gasoline on Lee,” Brooks reported, adding that Vogler was conscious and speaking after the ordeal, heading towards a burn center in Lynchburg.

“This kind of senseless violence needs to end,” Brooks remarked, expressing frustration over the incident. “It’s just outrageous to think someone would go to such lengths to harm another.” He’s clearly shaken by the attack on a colleague.

In light of the violence, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears have expressed their support for Vogler. Youngkin stated, “Our thoughts are with Councilman Lee Vogler, who was violently attacked at work today,” indicating a collective hope for his speedy recovery.

Earl Sears emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, asserting that violence should never be a solution. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also shared his sentiments, calling this act of violence indicative of “domestic terrorism” while reflecting on his friendship with Vogler.