Chicago Man Faces Federal Charges for Commuter Train Arson Attack

Sat Nov 22 2025 06:09:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Lawrence Reed, charged with a federal terrorism offense for setting a woman on fire on a Chicago train, is held pending trial. The act has raised national concerns and debate on public safety.

Lawrence Reed, 50, has been ordered to remain in custody while awaiting trial for a federal terrorism charge related to the horrific incident where he set a woman ablaze on Chicago's Blue Line train. The case, which has gained significant media attention, involved Reed allegedly dousing the victim in gasoline and igniting her after a brief altercation. Prosecutors described Reed as a chronic offender with a history of violent crimes, warranting his detention due to concerns he poses a danger to the community. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison, and potentially the death penalty if the victim succumbs to her injuries.

A man accused of setting a woman on fire inside a Chicago commuter train has been ordered to be held behind bars pending trial on a federal terrorism charge he faces in the case.

A federal judge ordered 50-year-old Lawrence Reed to be held after prosecutors detailed his extensive criminal history, which spans over three decades.

The attack on Chicago’s Blue Line L train has sparked nationwide outrage, as the victim appears to have been targeted at random. According to investigators, Reed approached the victim as she was texting on her phone, drenched her in gasoline, and set her ablaze moments later.

Reed was arrested the day subsequent to the attack, and federal prosecutors have charged him with one count of committing a terrorist attack, potentially leading to a life sentence. Should the victim’s condition worsen and she dies from her injuries, Reed may face the death penalty.

Throughout his 32 years interacting with the justice system, Reed has accumulated 72 arrests. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Bond characterized him as a “clear danger to the community,” citing his escalating violent offenses.

Reed's criminal record includes over 60 cases since 1993, ranging from minor offenses to severe violent crimes, including numerous battery and assault cases along with two charges related to arson. He is currently also facing a separate charge of aggravated battery for an assault on a hospital worker.

During Friday's detention hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally appointed legal counsel for Reed, but he chose to represent himself instead. He heeded concerns about his safety, expressing a preference to stay in custody.

Investigative efforts have heavily depended on surveillance footage, evidently capturing the alarming incident as well as Reed's behavior leading up to the attack. Footage from a nearby gas station confirmed he purchased gasoline shortly before the act.

The identity of the victim remains undisclosed, with her family requesting privacy during her recovery period.

—Report by Beck from Omaha, Nebraska.