Federal terrorism charges have been filed against a suspect who allegedly lit a 26-year-old woman on fire on a Blue Line CTA train in the Loop.
Lawrence Reed, 50, is accused of a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system, according to the U.S. attorney’s office after the attack Monday night at 124 W. Lake St., about 9:30 p.m.
The victim was left severely burned and in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.
Reed boarded a Blue Line train around 9:04 p.m. after stopping at a Citgo gas station on West Harrison Street, according to the complaint. Surveillance video from the station shows Reed allegedly filling a small container with gasoline before walking toward the Kedzie station.
Minutes later, surveillance footage from inside the train car shows Reed approach the victim and pour the liquid in his bottle over her head and body, according to the complaint.
Reed then tries to ignite the fluid as the victim fights him off and flees down the train car. Reed then ignites the bottles and uses them to set the victim on fire.
The woman, now engulfed in flames, rolls on the floor trying to extinguish the fire. When the train stops at Clark and Lake, she stumbles onto the platform before collapsing.
Bystanders rush to help as Reed walks off the train and away from the scene, the complaint alleges.
Chicago police arrested Reed Tuesday morning near Washington Street. The complaint states that Reed was still wearing the same clothes from the attack and had burns on his right hand.
The police also recovered Reed’s CTA card, which records show was used to board the Blue Line train Monday night.
The complaint also states Reed repeatedly shouted, “burn b – – – – ” and “burn alive b – – – – ” during transit to a Chicago police facility.
In an email, a spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department said it transferred Reed, “the person of interest,” to federal custody.
Reed appeared, masked and cuffed, before a federal judge on the charges about 2:30 p.m Wednesday and shouted: “I plead guilty! I plead guilty! I plead guilty!”
During the brief hearing, in response to a standard question about notifying a consulate in case the defendant is a citizen of another country, Reed asked that the Chinese consulate be notified.
Magistrate Judge Laura McNally asked if he is a citizen of China. He said he is.
Reed is due back in court Friday.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally just took the bench.
Lawrence Reed is masked and cuffed.
He begins shouting, “I plead guilty! I plead guilty! I plead guilty!” https://t.co/mBqxheA2mL
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) November 19, 2025
When reached for comment on the charges, the CTA said in a statement they were working “closely” with the police and the public transit unit detectives who are embedded at the Strategic Decision Support Center (SDSC).
“CTA has a multi-pronged approach to the security on our system. At its foundation is the longstanding and strong partnership with CPD, as well as technologies aimed to deter, be alerted about, and investigate crime on the system,” the statement said.
“Every day, CTA works in close coordination with CPD in the deployment of resources and the use of technology – including the SDSC room — for proactive patrolling, targeted missions, and other law enforcement activities.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.