DANVILLE, Va. (rbs news now) — Danville Police are investigating an attack that left an elected official severely burned after being doused with gasoline and set on fire Wednesday morning.

According to police, officers were dispatched around 11:30 a.m. on July 30 to the 700 block of Main Street following reports that a man had been intentionally set on fire.

Crews responded and rendered aid to the victim, identified as Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38.

Vogler was airlifted to a regional burn center in Lynchburg.

The full extent of his injuries is unknown at this time, but he was reported to be awake and talking prior to transport.

Police said the suspect was Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, of Danville.

Witnesses told officers that Hayes entered Vogler’s workplace — the offices of Showcase Magazine — carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline.

“An individual forced his way into our office carrying a five-gallon bucket of gasoline and poured the gasoline on Lee,” Andrew Brooks, publisher and owner of Showcase Magazine, 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.”

Police reported that witness accounts of the incident aligned with what Brooks said in the video.

Hayes fled the scene but was quickly located and arrested several blocks away.

Brooks added that Vogler managed to identify his attacker before being transported to the hospital.

Police said the two men were known to each other, and the incident appears to stem from a personal dispute, not Vogler’s political role or affiliations.

“Our hearts and prayers are with him,” Brooks said, calling the act a “senseless act of violence.”

Hayes remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Hayes was charged with attempted first degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. 

Hayes is being held in the Danville City Jail under no bond. 

This incident remains under investigation.

Police said no further information will be released at this time. 

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