Federal prosecutors on Wednesday charged a man with setting a woman on fire on a Chicago train, calling it a terrorist attack. The attack happened Monday night on a Blue Line L train, police said. A federal investigator’s affidavit filed in the arrest of Lawrence Reed states he was sitting at the back of a train car when he approached the woman, who was sitting with her back to him. Reed allegedly took the cap off a plastic beverage bottle, doused the woman with what was believed to be gasoline, and then ignited it. The woman ran to the back of the train car, but Reed approached her and set her on fire.
Reed, 50, of Chicago, faces federal charges for committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system. When the train reached the Clark and Lake stop downtown, Reed walked away as the woman stumbled out, falling to the ground. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition with severe burns. Federal court records do not indicate whether Reed has legal representation. Reports from Chicago outlets indicate that Reed was disruptive during his first federal court appearance.
Reed, 50, of Chicago, faces federal charges for committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system. When the train reached the Clark and Lake stop downtown, Reed walked away as the woman stumbled out, falling to the ground. She was taken to a hospital in critical condition with severe burns. Federal court records do not indicate whether Reed has legal representation. Reports from Chicago outlets indicate that Reed was disruptive during his first federal court appearance.
