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Federal Grand Jury Indicts Lawrence Reed on Terrorism and Arson in CTA Train Burning, City Hall Fire

Prosecutors cite surveillance video plus ATF findings as the case moves to arraignment.

Overview

  • An arraignment is set for Dec. 19 at noon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally, and Reed remains detained in federal custody without bond.
  • Prosecutors allege Reed used an ignited bottle to set 26-year-old Bethany MaGee on fire aboard a Blue Line train on Nov. 17; she remains in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.
  • A separate count accuses Reed of attempting to burn Chicago City Hall on Nov. 14, with officials noting the fire outside the building did not spread.
  • Investigators point to surveillance showing Reed filling a bottle with gasoline at a Garfield Park gas station shortly before boarding at the Kedzie stop.
  • Cook County prosecutors also charged Reed in a March 27 CTA incident involving alleged assaults on two passengers, while reporting has highlighted repeated curfew violations during his electronic monitoring.