Federal authorities have charged a man with terrorism after he allegedly set a woman on fire aboard a Chicago transit train, officials announced on Wednesday.

Lawrence Reed, 50, faces this serious federal charge, which could lead to a life sentence if he is convicted, according to The Associated Press.

As previously reported by CrimeOnline, the victim, a 26-year-old woman, remains in critical condition following the incident on the blue line train in downtown Chicago.

The harrowing event unfolded just before 9:30 p.m. on Monday as the train approached the Clark/Lake station. Reed allegedly doused the woman with gasoline and set her alight before fleeing the scene. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, escaped the train engulfed in flames.

By the time emergency services arrived, bystanders had managed to extinguish the fire. However, the woman suffered extensive burns to her body and head, authorities reported.

Although witnesses said the suspect and the woman argued before the incident, federal court records say Reed doused her with gasoline from a plastic bottle without comment and tried to ignite it as she tried to fight him off, according to the AP. Surveillance video showed her running from one end of the train car to another, the affidavit says, before Reed lit the bottle he carried the gasoline in and used it to set the woman on fire.

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.