Man accused in Blue Line fire attack facing new arson charges in separate blaze at City Hall

Lawrence Reed, 50, previously charged with dousing woman in gasoline, setting her on fire on Blue Line train Nov. 17

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Man accused in CTA arson charged in separate fire at City Hall

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The man facing a federal terrorism charge for allegedly setting a woman on fire on a CTA Blue Line train last month is facing new arson charges for a separate incident.

Lawrence Reed, 50, is set to be arraigned Friday.

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According to the new indictment, he allegedly set a fire at City Hall three days before setting the woman on fire.

Reed has also been accused of trying to sexually assault a female CTA rider, and then attacking a man who intervened in March.

Reed is accused of dousing a woman in gasoline and setting her on fire on a Blue Line train Nov. 17.

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He has a lengthy criminal history, including over 70 arrests.

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