Lawrence Reed, a 50-year-old man with a long and troubling criminal history, has been federally charged for allegedly setting a woman on fire on a Chicago Blue Line train. The incident, which occurred on Monday night, has reignited national discussions about public safety on mass transit systems and the need for stricter oversight.
Federal prosecutors allege that Reed used gasoline and a lighter to ignite the victim, who was reportedly seated in the middle of the train car. According to the complaint, Reed approached her from the back of the train car, doused her head and body with gasoline, and then attempted to light the liquid. The woman, who was described as reading her phone, ran to the back of the car as Reed ignited the rest of the liquid in the bottle and used it to light her on fire.
The footage captured during the incident shows Reed watching the woman as she tried to put out the fire by rolling on the floor. No one intervened during the attack, and when the train stopped at Clark and Lake, the victim managed to exit before collapsing on the platform. Two Samaritans then came to her aid, helping to extinguish the flames on her body.
Authorities have confirmed that the woman suffered severe burns to her face and body and remains in critical condition. The victim’s condition has raised concerns about the lack of immediate bystander intervention, prompting calls for better security measures in public transportation systems.
The investigation into Reed’s actions revealed that he had prior charges for violent acts, including felony aggravated arson from April 2020, where he allegedly started a fire at the Thompson Center. He also faced charges related to battery and assault, including punching multiple women at random and slapping a 42-year-old man at a CTA platform.
Despite previous charges and requests for detention, Reed was released on an ankle monitor in August after being accused of assaulting a woman at a psychiatric hospital. Prosecutors argued for his detention, but the court allowed him to remain on the streets, which has sparked criticism regarding the effectiveness of current bail practices.
Following his arrest, Reed alleged to be ‘pleading guilty’ before the court, though federal prosecutors have not yet commented on a potential plea deal. The incident has led to increased scrutiny of criminal justice system’s handling of repeat offenders and the need for more stringent measures to prevent such violent acts in public spaces.