Overview
- The attack occurred around 9:25 p.m. Monday near the Clark/Lake stop when a man believed to be about 45 allegedly poured a liquid on a rider and ignited it.
- The 26-year-old victim suffered severe burns, was transported to Stroger Hospital by the Chicago Fire Department, and remains in critical condition.
- Chicago police say a person of interest is in custody and that the investigation is active, with no public charging announcement released.
- Arson detectives are leading the case as the CTA reports it is assisting police; Blue Line service, halted overnight, resumed around 1:30 a.m.
- Initial police accounts described a preceding argument, while CWB Chicago reports the assault may have been unprovoked and that court records show the detainee was supposed to be on 24/7 electronic monitoring, a claim not confirmed by police.