The individual, known for having an extensive criminal background and previously released after being implicated in a violent incident in August, has now been federally charged. The accusation involves setting a young woman ablaze on a Chicago Blue Line train, accompanied by the shouts of “burn b—-.”
Lawrence Reed, aged 50, faces charges of perpetrating a terrorist act or violence against a public transportation system, as detailed in a recently submitted criminal complaint.
Federal authorities claim that Reed deliberately employed gasoline and a lighter to ignite a woman on a CTA Blue Line train around 9:30 p.m. on Monday.
Security footage from the train purportedly captures the suspect trailing the woman to the rear of the train car before setting her on fire, according to documents from the U.S. District Court.
Andrew Boutros, U.S. District Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, remarked that the woman was “minding her own business and reading her phone” in the center of the train car when Reed allegedly approached from behind, drenched her with gasoline, and attempted to set it alight.
As per the complaint, the woman fled to the back of the car, while Reed ignited the remaining gasoline in the bottle and used it to set her on fire.
Footage allegedly showed Reed watching the woman, engulfed in flames, as she tried to put out the fire by rolling on the floor.
Train footage shows the suspect allegedly coming up behind the woman and pouring the liquid on her head and body. (U.S. District Court documents)
Boutros said as the woman was rolling on the ground, desperately trying to put out the fire, no one came to her aid.
When the train stopped at Clark and Lake, the complaint noted the victim, who was still on fire, managed to exit before collapsing on the platform.
“When she finally stumbled down, two Samaritans came and put out the blaze that was all consuming her,” Boutros said.
Graphic video footage captured at the scene showed Chicago Fire and EMS workers attempting to load the woman into an ambulance.
She suffered severe burns to her face and body and remains in critical condition, according to authorities.
Train footage showed the suspect allegedly purchasing the items used in the attack from a nearby gas station. (U.S. District Court documents)
Prosecutors obtained photos showing Reed at a gas station about 20 minutes before the attack, where he was seen entering the store, paying the cashier and filling a small container with gasoline.
Other images showed Reed inside the train holding a flaming bottle as he approached the victim.
Reed allegedly exited the train after setting the woman on fire and walked away.
He was arrested Tuesday morning, still wearing the same clothing from the attack, and had burns on his right hand, according to the complaint.
Officers noted he repeatedly yelled “burn b—-” and “burn alive b—-,” while being taken to the detective division.
Investigators recovered a partially melted bottle, lighter and clear liquid from the victim’s train seat, along with the remains of some of her clothing.
Photos from the train show the moment the suspect allegedly doused the woman in gasoline. (U.S. District Court documents)
During Reed’s first appearance in federal court Wednesday, he allegedly shouted, “I plead guilty, I plead guilty, I plead guilty.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally asked him if he knew the maximum sentence was life in prison, to which he responded, “It’s cool, it’s cool, it’s cool.”
Following the hearing, ATF Special Agent in Charge Chris Amon commented on Reed’s “violent” criminal history and pending criminal cases, adding he “had no business being on the streets.”
Train footage showed the suspect allegedly purchasing the items used in the attack from a nearby gas station. (U.S. District Court documents)
“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,” Amon said. “Because of the swift action of CPD, ATF and our law enforcement partners, there will be no other chances for Mr. Reed.”
McNally suggested a mental and medical evaluation, though Boutros noted Reed had not been declared mentally incompetent in connection with any of his prior charges.
Lawrence Reed, 50, is charged with committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system, according to officials. (Chicago Police Department)
Who is Chicago train attack suspect Lawrence Reed?
Records show Reed has a lengthy criminal history, including a charge of felony aggravated arson from April 2020, after he allegedly started a fire at the Thompson Center, where Gov. J.B. Pritzker was holding a daily COVID-19 briefing.
He also faced misdemeanor battery charges for punching multiple women in the face, seemingly at random, and slapping a 42-year-old man in the face at the Halsted CTA Blue Line platform, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
In August, Reed was charged with aggravated battery after allegedly assaulting a woman at a psychiatric hospital, CWB Chicago reported. Despite prosecutors’ request to keep him detained, he was released with an ankle monitor.
Chicago Police Department records indicate Reed was arrested on at least 13 occasions by their agency alone since 2017. His charges included:
- May 19, 2017: Driving with a revoked license, obstruction of traffic by motorist, driving in reverse, operator signal, uninsured motor vehicle
- April 2, 2018: Soliciting unlawful business, making prohibited transactions, jaywalking
- June 19, 2018: Criminal trespass to real property, criminal damage to property
- July 13, 2018: Battery, possession of a controlled substance
- April 1, 2019: Driving with a revoked license, three counts of no turn signals, operating an uninsured motor vehicle
- Dec. 29, 2019: Criminal damage to government property
- Feb. 21, 2020: Battery
- Feb. 28, 2020: Two counts of battery
- April 23, 2020: Aggravated arson knowing there is a person(s) present
- Dec. 4, 2021: Simple assault
- Dec. 21, 2021: Battery with intent to cause bodily harm
- June 1, 2022: Battery making physical contact
- Jan. 20, 2024: Criminal damage to property
