On Wednesday, federal officials intervened to charge a man accused of setting a woman ablaze on a Chicago transit train with terrorism-related offenses.
Lawrence Reed, 50, faces a federal charge that could result in a life sentence if convicted, as reported by The Associated Press.
According to an earlier report by CrimeOnline, the victim, a 26-year-old woman, remains in critical condition following the attack on the downtown Chicago blue line train.
The violent episode unfolded shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Monday as the train approached the Clark/Lake station. The assailant allegedly doused the woman with gasoline and ignited it before fleeing the scene, while she managed to escape the train engulfed in flames.
By the time emergency personnel arrived, onlookers had managed to put out the flames, yet the victim sustained severe burns to her head and body.
Although witnesses noted an argument between Reed and the woman prior to the attack, federal court documents reveal that Reed allegedly drenched her with gasoline from a plastic bottle without uttering a word, as she attempted to resist him. Surveillance footage reportedly captures her desperate attempt to evade him within the train car before Reed set the gasoline alight, according to the affidavit.
Chicago police said Reed made incriminating statements after he was taken into custody, and he had burns on his right hand, the affidavit said.
Reed carried out the attack “with the intent to cause death and serious bodily injury to one or more persons” on the train, the affidavit said.
Reed was erratic during his initial court appearance on Wednesday, claiming he was guilty, a Chinese citizen, and that he wanted to represent himself.
Federal officials complained at a news conference that Reed should have been in jail because of “his violent criminal history and his pending criminal cases,” although they declined to say what those were.
“Reed had plenty of second chances by the criminal justice system and as a result you have an innocent victim in the hospital fighting for her life,” said ATF Special Agent Christopher Amon.
US Attorney Andrew Boutros said that if the victim dies, Reed would be eligible for the death penalty because he’s been charged in federal court. Illinois abolished the death penalty 14 years ago.
Reporters asked Boutros about Reed’s mental health. He replied that he wasn’t aware he’d ever been legally declared mentally incompetent.
