The Virginia city councilman who was set ablaze by a maniac in a ruthless personal attack faces a “long, painful and uncertain recovery” as he remains hospitalized with gruesome burns covering more than half his body.

Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes allegedly confronted Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler, 38, at his office at Showcase Magazine on Wednesday and covered him with a flammable liquid, the Danville Police Department said. Both went outside, where Buck-Hayes allegedly set Vogler on fire, police said.

Danville Police Sgt. G.A. Clay wrote in a criminal complaint: "Vogler advised multiple people that Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes was responsible for burning him. Buck-Hayes was taken into custody and during an interview admitted that he had dumped gasoline onto Vogler. Furthermore, Buck-Hayes advised Sgt. Clay that his intention was to kill Vogler."