Man accused in Blue Line fire attack pleads not guilty in indictment that includes City Hall blaze

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Friday, December 19, 2025
Man accused in CTA fire attack pleads not guilty in new indictment

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The man facing a federal terrorism charge for allegedly setting a woman on fire on a CTA Blue Line train last month pleaded not guilty Friday to new charges in a separate indictment.

Lawrence Reed, 50, was indicted Wednesday in the CTA fire incident and in an alleged blaze at Chicago City Hall three days before that attack.

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The charges in the indictment are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Reed is being held in custody, pending future court appearances.

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.

She remains in the hospital with critical injuries.

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

He's next due in court for the most recent indictment Jan. 20.

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