Chicago Blue Line Horror: Man Charged With Terrorism After Allegedly Dousing Woman With Gasoline and Setting Her Ablaze on Moving Train (Watch Video)
Federal prosecutors have charged 50-year-old Lawrence Reed with committing a terrorist attack on a mass transit system after he allegedly set a 26-year-old woman on fire aboard a Chicago CTA Blue Line train on November 17. Reed approached the woman from behind, doused her with what appeared to be gasoline, and then ignited it, leaving her engulfed in flames.
Federal prosecutors have charged 50-year-old Lawrence Reed with committing a terrorist attack on a mass transit system after he allegedly set a 26-year-old woman on fire aboard a Chicago CTA Blue Line train on November 17. According to federal affidavits, Reed approached the woman from behind, doused her with what appeared to be gasoline, and then ignited the fuel, leaving her engulfed in flames. The victim escaped the train at a downtown stop but collapsed on the platform and remains in critical condition with severe burns. Surveillance footage showed Reed filling a small container with gasoline just 30 minutes before the attack. Witnesses described the scene as horrifying, with bystanders rushing to help the woman. Reed was arrested soon after and appeared disruptive in court, shouting that he wished to represent himself and expressing shock at the terrorism charge. Reed has an extensive criminal history, with 49 arrests, 10 felony cases, and prior convictions including probation, jail time, and a two-year state prison sentence for a 2003 drug case. Las Vegas Fire: Blaze Erupts Outside Aria Resort and Casino in US After Blast (Watch Video).
Man Charged With Terrorism After Setting Woman Ablaze on Train
NEW: The Chicago man accused of lighting a young woman on fire on a Blue Line train had previously been arrested at least 72 times.
72 times…
50-year-old Lawrence Reed is accused of intentionally lighting the woman on fire with gasoline and a lighter.
Judge Laura McNally… pic.twitter.com/kqVm8K3x7L
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 21, 2025
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 22, 2025 07:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
