Overview
- Lawrence Reed, 50, was taken into federal custody and charged with committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system, a count that carries a potential life sentence.
- Charging documents cite surveillance showing the victim seated on her phone when the assailant approached, doused her with gasoline and later ignited her, contradicting earlier reports of an argument.
- Investigators say Reed bought gasoline about 20 minutes before the assault, boarded the Blue Line shortly afterward, and was later found wearing the same clothes with a burn on his hand; a partially melted bottle, lighter and burned clothing were recovered from the train.
- Authorities say passengers on the train did not aid the woman until she reached the platform, where two bystanders extinguished the flames; the 26-year-old remains in critical condition at Stroger Hospital.
- Reed made an initial court appearance Wednesday and is set for a detention hearing and mental health evaluation, while the investigation continues following hours-long Blue Line disruptions that ended around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday.