Arson Suspect Arrested Following Train Attack

A man in Chicago, previously convicted of arson, has been arrested again after a shocking incident where he allegedly set a young woman on fire on a train. This happened just as Governor J.B. Pritzker was about to speak nearby.

Lawrence Reed, 50, was found guilty of setting fire to a government building back in April 2020 but never faced jail time—only receiving a suspended sentence, according to court records.

On Monday, Reed is accused of dousing a 26-year-old Illinois woman with gasoline and igniting her while hollering, “Burn me alive!” The victim is now in critical condition with severe burns on her head and body.

Christopher Amon, a Special Agent in Charge with the ATF, expressed outrage, stating, “Reed was given a second chance by the criminal justice system, and now there’s an innocent victim in the hospital fighting for her life.”

The earlier incident took place at the Thompson Center building in Chicago, where Reed reportedly approached with red cans, poured a flammable liquid through a window, and set it ablaze. That fire occurred just minutes before Pritzker was set to hold a press conference regarding COVID-19.

Though Reed was charged with aggravated arson, he ultimately received only probation from Cook County Circuit Court. His history is troublesome, with multiple prior arrests for various charges, including a recent felony battery that left a hospital worker unconscious.

At the time of the train attack, Reed was already out on pretrial release. Prosecutors pushed for him to remain in custody, but a judge denied this request, letting him walk free in the city.

Amon commented on the situation, saying, “Given Reed’s violent history and ongoing criminal cases, he should not have been on the streets.” He now faces federal terrorism charges related to the recent train incident and is due in federal court this Friday.