In a shocking act of violence aboard a downtown Chicago train, a 26-year-old woman was gravely injured after being set ablaze by a man described as a serial offender. The assault has stunned transit riders and intensified debate over how repeat criminals are managed in the city’s justice system.
Attack on Transit: What Happened
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 9:20 p.m. on November 17, when the suspect approached his victim from behind on a car of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train. Surveillance video shows the man filling a plastic bottle with gasoline at a nearby gas station roughly 20 minutes prior to the attack.
He then poured the flammable liquid over her body while she sat unaware, chased her through the train car, and set her ablaze. She managed to exit the train and collapsed on the platform, while witnesses rushed to help.
The woman was later hospitalized in critical condition with extensive burns.
The Suspect: Repeat Offender Now Charged
The suspect has been identified as 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, a man with a criminal history that spans decades and more than 70 previous arrests. Court records indicate 72 arrests in Cook County alone.
Reed is now charged federally with an act of terrorism on a mass transit system—he may face life imprisonment or even the death penalty should the case evolve further.
At his court appearance he displayed erratic behaviour, including shouting “I plead guilty!”, singing, and demanding to represent himself. Prosecutors argue he “had no business being on the streets” given his violent past.
Systemic Questions and Public Safety Concerns
This attack has sparked wide-ranging outcry: public officials and transit riders alike are asking how a man with dozens of prior arrests was free and able to carry out such an attack. One federal official charged that the criminal justice system failed to protect the innocent.
The incident also raises concerns about safety on public transport in Chicago and the monitoring of individuals charged with violent offenses. Many are calling for review of bail policies, ankle-monitor programs, and the criteria for releasing defendants under supervision.
