CHICAGO (WGN) — A man with an extensive criminal past is now facing a federal terrorism charge following allegations of setting a woman ablaze in a sudden assault on a CTA Blue Line train in Chicago on Monday evening.

On Wednesday, a detailed 13-page federal complaint was lodged against 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, accusing him of perpetrating a terrorist attack or committing violence against a mass transit system. If proven guilty, Reed could face a life sentence in federal prison.

The incident reportedly took place on a northbound train as it neared the CTA station located at North Clark Street and West Lake Street in the Loop, just prior to 9:30 p.m. on Monday.

Andrew Boutros, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, described the attack as “vicious and brutal.” He noted that the victim, a 26-year-old woman, was quietly using her phone, unaware of the impending threat.

Investigators revealed that Reed was sitting at the rear of the CTA car, while the woman, with her back turned to him, was seated mid-car.

Authorities allege Reed got up and walked through the car while holding a bottle. He then allegedly poured liquid on the woman’s head and body and attempted to ignite the liquid.

The woman fought off Reed and ran to the front of the train, but he chased her, the complaint states. Reed then ignited the bottle, which fell out of his hands as the victim ran toward the other end of the train to try to get away. After picking it back up, Reed used it to light the victim on fire, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors said the suspect watched as the victim was engulfed, trying desperately to roll on the floor in an attempt to extinguish the fire.

“The surveillance video is difficult to watch and is very disturbing, as a young woman was set ablaze and tried to put herself out, while other passengers got out of the way or watched,” said Boutros. “When the train stopped and the victim was able to muster the strength to stumble on the platform, two good Samaritans put out the flames.”

As the victim collapsed on the platform, federal authorities said Reed exited the train.

Authorities took the woman to a hospital, where she remains in critical condition after suffering burns to her face and body.

“Our prayers are with her, her family, and everyone who is affected by this unimaginable tragedy,” said Christopher Amon, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

According to the criminal complaint, investigators were able to determine that Reed filled a small container with gasoline at a Citgo Gas Station about 20 minutes before the attack. He was captured on surveillance cameras wearing the same outfit he was wearing at the time of the attack, prosecutors said.

Officers with the Chicago Police Department took Reed into custody just before 11:30 a.m. Monday in the 100 block of West Washington Street, and on Wednesday, he was transferred into federal custody.

At the time he was taken into custody, officers observed fire-related injuries to Reed’s right hand, and he was wearing the same clothes during the incident, according to federal prosecutors.

According to the criminal complaint, Reed made several spontaneous comments as he was being transported to CPD’s Area Four Detective Division.

“Burn (expletive)” and “burn alive (expletive),” he shouted, according to the charging document.

Reed appeared in court Wednesday afternoon and allegedly spat on federal agents while in lockup. His erratic behavior continued inside the courtroom.

After he was brought into the courtroom, with his mouth covered, the suspect immediately started shouting over U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally.

“I plead guilty! I plead guilty!” Reed repeated several times.

As McNally explained the process and purpose of the hearing, Reed continued to interrupt.

“I’m going to talk to you,” said McNally before Reed interjected and said, “Don’t talk to me.”

As she continued, Reed loudly shouted, “La-la-la-la.”

Reed told the court he will represent himself and that he does not want counsel appointed to represent him.

“When you walked in here, I presumed you to be innocent of these charges,” McNally said.

“I’m guilty,” Reed responded.

As prosecutors attempted to read the charge filed against Reed, he continued to interrupt.

“Terrorist, is that my charge? You said terrorism is my charge?” asked Reed.

“Did you hear what he said to the maximum penalty?” McNally asked Reed, who responded, “It’s cool.”

Before Wednesday’s hearing ended, Reed, who law enforcement sources confirm was born in the United States, claimed to be a resident of China.

“I would like the Chinese consulate to be notified I’m here,” said Reed.

Reed is due back in court at 10 a.m. Friday for a hearing to determine whether he will be held in custody pending trial. In a post-hearing press conference, Boutros detailed the allegations and explained in further detail the charge against Reed.

“If death were to happen to the victim, we obviously pray and hope it does not, this would be a death-eligible case,” said Boutros.

Reed is no stranger to the Cook County criminal justice system, with arrests dating back to the mid-1990s for various charges, including domestic battery and other batteries on public properties.

Police sources and arrest records confirm Reed had been arrested 71 times in Cook County before Tuesday’s arrest, and convicted in 13 of those cases.

He was on pretrial release for an aggravated battery charge, which court records show stemmed from an alleged assault in August on a social worker at MacNeal Hospital. The victim was hit so hard she lost consciousness, court records show.

Reed was also convicted in an April 2020 case of aggravated arson after he used gasoline to start a fire at the 17-story Thompson Center in Chicago’s Loop, court records show. According to court filings, he was sentenced to two years of mental health probation, which he completed by December 2023.

On Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that police were investigating after someone attempted to set a fire at City Hall on Friday night. Several police sources confirm Reed is a suspect in that case.

During Wednesday’s press conference, authorities referenced Reed’s criminal history, which they said would be detailed further during an upcoming detention hearing.

“Lawrence Reed had no business being on the streets given that his violent criminal history and pending criminal cases. 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.”

The attack also caught the attention of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who wrote on social media, “This horrific attack is EXACTLY why we need communities to take safety seriously. Blue Cities cannot allow another Iryna Zarutska to happen.”