Crime & Law

Man Charged in Blue Line Arson Attack Also Accused of Attempted Sexual Assault on CTA in March

The Chicago man who allegedly set a passenger on fire aboard a CTA Blue Line train last month is now accused in a separate incident stemming from an attempted sexual assault on a train earlier this year.

Lawrence Reed, 50, is scheduled to be arraigned next week on two counts of aggravated battery stemming from a March incident on a Blue Line train.

“While we cannot comment on the particulars of grand jury proceedings, the (Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office) was first made aware of this case on November 20th, and a true bill of indictment was promptly returned,” a spokesperson for the State’s Attorney said in a statement. “The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on December 15th, at which time more information will be available.”

According to the Chicago Police Department, the new charges stem from a March 27 incident on a Blue Line train near the 500 block of North Milwaukee Avenue.

Police said Reed allegedly approached a 23-year-old woman at around 7:15 p.m., made physical contact with her, and attempted to sexually assault her. When a 27-year-old man attempted to intervene, Reed battered him before attempting to flee on foot, police said.

That man suffered a minor back injury and both victims declined medical attention.

Reed was arrested by responding officers and transported to the Rush University Medical Center for a mental health evaluation, according to police. However, charges do not appear to have been filed until recently.

Reed already faces a federal terrorism charge after he allegedly doused a woman in gasoline at random and lit her on fire in a brazen attack onboard a Blue Line train last month. The woman survived and is continuing to recover from her critical injuries.

Reed’s arson attack has been cited by federal transit officials who have since threatened to withhold funding to the CTA unless Chicago officials agree to bolster security measures along the city’s train and bus lines.

That incident has also prompted local officials including State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke and new Cook County Chief Judge Charles Beach to explore improvements to the county’s electronic monitoring system, as Reed was out of jail on EM at the time of the attack.

“We’re going to analyze it,” Beach said on “Chicago Tonight” Thursday. “We’re going to use some data to take a look at what’s working, what’s not working, and definitely try to tighten up our protocols. Like everything, it can be improved, and that’s what we’re looking to do.”

Records show Reed remains held in federal custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

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