A Chicago man with a lengthy criminal record is now facing federal terrorism charges after allegedly setting a woman on fire aboard a CTA train, according to court documents.

Lawrence Reed, age 50, has been charged with committing an act of terrorism on a public transit system.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros commented on Reed’s history, noting that he has had numerous opportunities for redemption, but this incident marks a turning point.

The incident occurred on Monday when Reed allegedly attacked a 26-year-old woman on the CTA Blue Line train. Authorities reported that he fled the scene when the train reached the Clark and Lake station. He was apprehended by Tuesday evening.

During his court appearance on Wednesday, Reed entered the courtroom with his face partially concealed.

He immediately began saying “I plead guilty” “I plead guilty” multiple times, before insisting that we would represent himself.

A complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office shows CTA surveillance footage of a man approaching the victim with a bottle already ignited.

Reed is alleged to have approached his victim on the Blue Line train at about 9:26 p.m., before taking the cap off a bottle and pouring liquid over her head, then using that same bottle to set her on fire.

United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros said the victim was “minding her business” on her phone when the attack happened.

The attorney said that the previous narrative of the victim and Reed being involved in an argument was inaccurate.

“This young woman was on her phone, minding her business when Mr. Reed approached her and began throwing gasoline on her,” Boutros said. “Perhaps people were afraid to get involved. But what we can say is, even as she was on the ground trying to put herself out, and is rolling on the ground desperately trying to put out the fire, no one came to aid until she was able to get on the platform, get off the train and to the platform and she she finally stumbled down, to [Good] Samaritans came and put out all the blaze.”

According to the complaint, Chicago police obtained video of Reed filing a small container with gasoline at a gas station just 20 minutes before the attack at 3357 W Harrison Street in Garfield Park.

Reed was ordered to undergo a complete mental and physical evaluation before his detention hearing on Friday. That is when the judge will decide whether he is to remain incarcerated until his trial.

The U.S. Attorney’s offices say this federal charge is punishable by life sentence.

As for the 26-year old victim in this case remains, we’re told she remains in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.

Lawrence Reed’s Criminal Record

Reed has an extensive record with the Chicago Police Department, according to public records.

His record dates back to 2017, including charges for aggravated arson in 2020, battery, criminal trespass, among other charges.

Boutros confirmed that Reed is the same person who in 2020 was charged with trying to set at fire outside the Thompson Center.

In 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of arson in that case. He was sentenced to 24 months of mental health probation and random drug testing by Judge Arthur Hill. His probation ended on Dec. 28, 2023.

Police sources told ABC7 that Reed is connected to a fire that broke out at City Hall on Friday.

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