(NewsNation) — The extensive criminal history of the Chicago man accused of setting a train passenger on fire has prompted questions around public safety and the detention of violent offenders.
Lawrence Reed, 50, was arrested after police said he set a 26-year-old woman on fire after getting into an argument with her on a Blue Line L train on Monday night. Court records show Reed was on pretrial release for an aggravated battery charge at the time of the attack, according to NewsNation affiliate WGN. He’s accused of knocking a hospital social worker unconscious in August. Prosecutors had asked that he be kept in custody while awaiting that trial, but a judge decided to release him on electronic home monitoring, court records show.
Reed has previously been arrested 71 times in Cook County and convicted in 13 of those cases, including an aggravated arson case in April 2020, according to WGN. Reed was sentenced to two years of mental health probation, which he completed in December 2023.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and investigators addressed Reed’s criminal history during a news conference Wednesday, noting he would be given “no other chances.”
“Lawrence Reed had no business being on the streets given that his violent criminal history and pending criminal cases,” said Chris Amon, special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “Reed had plenty of second chances by the criminal justice system, and as a result, you have an innocent victim in the hospital fighting for her life.”
Amon’s sentiment was echoed by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a social media post Tuesday.
“This horrific attack is EXACTLY why we need communities to take safety seriously. Blue Cities cannot allow another Iryna Zarutska to happen,” Duffy wrote.
A detention hearing for Reed is set for Friday morning. He is facing federal terrorism charges, which could result in a life sentence if convicted.
In a statement to media, the victim’s family said:
“We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well-wishes as our daughter receives care for injuries sustained earlier this week. We are also grateful for the excellent care and support of the burn team at Stroger Hospital. We will not be providing updates at this time, and ask for her – and our – privacy as we focus our attention on her and her recovery. Thank you.”