A Chicago man with a decades-long criminal record has been accused of setting a woman on fire on a CTA Blue Line train.
Authorities say he set a 26-year-old woman on fire and shouted threatening remarks during his arrest.
The 50-year-old suspect, Lawrence Reed, allegedly yelled “Burn btch!” and “Burn alive btch!” while being transported by police following his arrest, according to officials.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Reed purchasing gasoline at a West Side gas station before boarding the train and dousing the victim.
The attack left the woman with severe burns to her face and body, and she remains in critical condition at a local hospital. Authorities have not released further details on her identity, citing privacy concerns.
Reed’s history of violence is extensive. He previously set fire to the Thompson Center in 2020 and has been involved in numerous other incidents of arson and assault.
At the time of this attack, Reed was on pretrial release for a separate assault, violating the conditions of his electronic monitoring. Officials note that he is the 19th person in Chicago this year accused of attempted murder while on felony release.
Court records and federal authorities indicate that Reed has been arrested at least 40 times since 1993, though some news reports suggest his total arrests may be as high as 49 or even 71.
His criminal record includes 10 prior felony cases, with convictions ranging from probation to jail time. Among his active cases was an aggravated battery charge from August 2025, for which he was under electronic monitoring at the time of the November 2025 arson attack.
Federal prosecutors have charged Reed with a terrorist attack on mass transportation, a serious offense that could carry significant prison time if he is convicted. Law enforcement officials have emphasized the danger posed by repeat offenders who commit violent crimes while on release, noting that Reed’s case highlights the challenges of monitoring individuals with long criminal histories.
Chicago authorities have declined to comment on whether Reed had any connection to extremist groups, focusing instead on the public safety threat posed by his actions. Community leaders and transit officials expressed shock and concern over the attack, particularly because it occurred in a crowded public transit environment, underscoring the vulnerability of everyday commuters.
This incident has renewed calls from local policymakers for stricter oversight of individuals on pretrial release, particularly those with prior violent offenses. Meanwhile, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack continues, with authorities reviewing Reed’s movements and interactions leading up to the incident.
Video Credit ABC7 Chicago