Federally Charged Suspect in Chicago Train Fire Has Long Record of Violence and Arson
Lawrence Reed faces federal terrorist charges for allegedly setting a woman on fire aboard a Chicago Blue Line train, screaming profanities as she was engulfed in flames. Reed, 50, is accused of using gasoline and a lighter to ignite the victim, who was left critically injured after the attack. The incident has sparked outrage and concerns over violent criminal activity in transit systems.
The attack unfolded on the CTA Blue Line train around 9:30 p.m., when Reed approached the woman from the back of the train car, doused her with gasoline, and ignited the liquid. Despite her efforts to escape, the victim was left in a life-threatening situation as no one intervened. The incident has drawn attention to the rising number of violent acts against commuters, raising concerns about the safety of public transportation systems. Officials have noted that the victim’s condition remains critical, highlighting the gravity of the attack.
According to the criminal complaint, Reed was seen purchasing gasoline from a gas station just 20 minutes before the attack. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him with a flaming bottle as he approached the victim on the train. After setting her on fire, Reed left the scene, only to be arrested the following morning. The victim, however, suffered severe burns and was rescued by firefighters and emergency responders on the platform. Despite the severity of the attack, Reed allegedly expressed a sense of calm, stating he was ‘cool’ with the potential sentence of life in prison during his court appearance.
Reed’s criminal history is extensive, including charges of felony aggravated arson from 2020, when he allegedly started a fire at Chicago’s Thompson Center. He also faced misdemeanor battery charges for multiple assaults and was released from custody with an ankle monitor in August after being accused of attacking a woman in a psychiatric hospital. His previous arrests, which include at least 13 incidents with Chicago Police since 2017, underscore the systemic issues that may have contributed to the incident. Authorities have expressed concern over his repeated chances to be on the streets, emphasizing the need for more stringent measures to prevent such attacks in the future.