The Virginia metropolis councilman who was set ablaze by a maniac in a ruthless private assault faces a “lengthy, painful and unsure restoration” as he stays hospitalized with ugly burns overlaying greater than half his physique.
Danville Metropolis Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, is presently in steady however crucial situation at UNC Burn Clinic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in accordance with a GoFundMe launched by the Republican lawmaker’s boss.
“His spouse, Blair, and their youngsters are by his facet as he begins what can be an extended, painful, and unsure restoration,” Andrew Brooks, writer of Showcase Journal, the month-to-month outlet the place Vogler works as director of selling, wrote on the web fundraising web page.
“He faces a number of surgical procedures, an prolonged hospital keep, and months – if not years – of rehabilitation.”
Brooks mentioned Danville’s youngest-ever councilman can be out of labor for the foreseeable future following the horrific Wednesday morning assault on the journal’s workplaces, which has left Vogler’s two youngsters deeply traumatized.
The four-term councilman suffered second- and third-degree burns overlaying as much as 60% of his physique, totally on his torso, after alleged assailant Shotsie Michale Buck Hayes barged into Vogler’s office, drenched him with a five-gallon jug of gasoline, chased him outdoors after which torched him.
Vogler, who was elected to Danville’s metropolis council in Might 2012 at age 24, recognized his attacker on the scene — which the 29-year-old accused arsonist fled shortly after lighting the pol on hearth.
Hayes, who was charged with tried first-degree homicide and aggravated malicious wounding, allegedly confessed to the sadistic assault, telling police “it was his intention to kill” Vogler, in accordance with a prison criticism obtained by ABC.
Police mentioned the assault was not politically motivated, however was sparked by an undisclosed private matter.
Vogler’s distressed spouse, Blair, mentioned her “fighter” husband is dealing with his restoration with “braveness, dedication, and an unbreakable spirit.”
“Our household is overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection and help we’ve acquired in simply 24 hours,” she mentioned in an announcement on the GoFundMe, which raised greater than $50,000 to help Vogler’s medical payments a day after it was created.
“We’re deeply grateful to your prayers, messages, and generosity throughout this extremely troublesome time,” she wrote. “Figuring out our group is standing with us means greater than phrases can categorical, and it has given us power after we want it most. Thanks, from the underside of our hearts.”
