Midwest
Blue city suspect with numerous prior arrests federally charged after allegedly setting woman ablaze on train
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The suspect with a lengthy criminal history and who was released after being accused in a violent August attack, has been federally charged after allegedly lighting a young woman on fire Monday on the Chicago Blue Line train and yelling “burn b—-.”
Lawrence Reed, 50, is charged with committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system, according to a recently filed criminal complaint.
Federal prosecutors allege Reed intentionally used gasoline and a lighter to set a woman on fire aboard a CTA Blue Line train at about 9:30 p.m. Monday.
A photo from train security footage showed the suspect allegedly following the woman to the back of the train car before lighting her on fire. (U.S. District Court documents)
AMERICA’S COMMUTERS UNDER SIEGE AS VIOLENT TRANSIT CRIMES ENDANGER BLUE CITIES
U.S. District Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros said the woman was “minding her own business and reading her phone” while seated in the middle of the train car, when Reed approached her from the back of the car, doused her head and body with gasoline, and attempted to ignite the liquid.
The woman ran to the back of the car, as he ignited the rest of the liquid in the bottle and then used it to light her on fire, according to the complaint.
Footage allegedly showed Reed watching the woman, engulfed in flames, as she tried to put out the fire by rolling on the floor.
Train footage shows the suspect allegedly coming up behind the woman and pouring the liquid on her head and body. (U.S. District Court documents)
Boutros said as the woman was rolling on the ground, desperately trying to put out the fire, no one came to her aid.
When the train stopped at Clark and Lake, the complaint noted the victim, who was still on fire, managed to exit before collapsing on the platform.
“When she finally stumbled down, two Samaritans came and put out the blaze that was all consuming her,” Boutros said.
Graphic video footage captured at the scene showed Chicago Fire and EMS workers attempting to load the woman into an ambulance.
She suffered severe burns to her face and body and remains in critical condition, according to authorities.
Train footage showed the suspect allegedly purchasing the items used in the attack from a nearby gas station. (U.S. District Court documents)
SEE IT: VIDEO SHOWS CHARLOTTE TRAIN STABBING SUSPECT BEFORE ATTACK AND MINUTES BEFORE ARREST
Prosecutors obtained photos showing Reed at a gas station about 20 minutes before the attack, where he was seen entering the store, paying the cashier and filling a small container with gasoline.
Other images showed Reed inside the train holding a flaming bottle as he approached the victim.
Reed allegedly exited the train after setting the woman on fire and walked away.
He was arrested Tuesday morning, still wearing the same clothing from the attack, and had burns on his right hand, according to the complaint.
Officers noted he repeatedly yelled “burn b—-” and “burn alive b—-,” while being taken to the detective division.
Investigators recovered a partially melted bottle, lighter and clear liquid from the victim’s train seat, along with the remains of some of her clothing.
Photos from the train show the moment the suspect allegedly doused the woman in gasoline. (U.S. District Court documents)
CHICAGO WOMAN SET ON FIRE DURING ARGUMENT ON CTA TRAIN, POLICE SAY
During Reed’s first appearance in federal court Wednesday, he allegedly shouted, “I plead guilty, I plead guilty, I plead guilty.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally asked him if he knew the maximum sentence was life in prison, to which he responded, “It’s cool, it’s cool, it’s cool.”
Following the hearing, ATF Special Agent in Charge Chris Amon commented on Reed’s “violent” criminal history and pending criminal cases, adding he “had no business being on the streets.”
Footage showed the suspect allegedly purchasing the items used in the attack from a nearby gas station. (U.S. District Court documents)
“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 said. “Because of the swift action of CPD, ATF and our law enforcement partners, there will be no other chances for Mr. Reed.”
McNally suggested a mental and medical evaluation, though Boutros noted Reed had not been declared mentally incompetent in connection with any of his prior charges.
Lawrence Reed, 50, is charged with committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system, according to officials. (Chicago Police Department)
Who is Chicago train attack suspect Lawrence Reed?
Records show Reed has a lengthy criminal history, including a charge of felony aggravated arson from April 2020, after he allegedly started a fire at the Thompson Center, where Gov. JB Pritzker was holding a daily COVID-19 briefing.
He also faced misdemeanor battery charges for punching multiple women in the face, seemingly at random, and slapping a 42-year-old man in the face at the Halsted CTA Blue Line platform, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
In August, Reed was charged with aggravated battery after allegedly assaulting a woman at a psychiatric hospital, CWB Chicago reported. Despite prosecutors’ request to keep him detained, he was released with an ankle monitor.
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Chicago Police Department records indicate Reed was arrested on at least 13 occasions by their agency alone since 2017. His charges included:
- May 19, 2017: Driving with a revoked license, obstruction of traffic by motorist, driving in reverse, operator signal, uninsured motor vehicle
- April 2, 2018: Soliciting unlawful business, making prohibited transactions, jaywalking
- June 19, 2018: Criminal trespass to real property, criminal damage to property
- July 13, 2018: Battery, possession of a controlled substance
- April 1, 2019: Driving with a revoked license, three counts of no turn signals, operating an uninsured motor vehicle
- Dec. 29, 2019: Criminal damage to government property
- Feb. 21, 2020: Battery
- Feb. 28, 2020: Two counts of battery
- April 23, 2020: Aggravated arson knowing there is a person(s) present
- Dec. 4, 2021: Simple assault
- Dec. 21, 2021: Battery with intent to cause bodily harm
- June 1, 2022: Battery making physical contact
- Jan. 20, 2024: Criminal damage to property.
Fox News’ Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.
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Wisconsin
[Photo Story] Penn State Men’s Hockey Disappoints Against Wisconsin
With the last regular-season series, No. 6 Penn State men’s hockey dropped both games to No. 11 Wisconsin over the weekend. The Nittany Lions were outplayed both nights, wrapping up their season to finish with a record of 20-12-2.
Of course, our photographers were at Pegula Ice Arena to capture all the action. Let’s take a look.

Wisconsin was dominant in both games against Penn State, winning 7-3 and 5-2, respectively. The Badgers outshot the Nittany Lions 41-31 on Thursday and 37-25 on Friday. Charlie Cerrato made a notable appearance. He played his first game back on Friday after being injured January 9 against Minnesota.
In Thursday’s game, the Nittany Lions fought for the first two periods, but the Badgers’ goal opened the third period and killed all of the momentum. In Friday’s game, the Nittany Lions fell behind from the very start and never built momentum to overcome the deficit.


Penn State now goes on to the Big Ten Tournament, where it will go up against Minnesota at home. Puck is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11.
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Detroit, MI
Detroit water main break snarls travel on East Jefferson Monday morning
Vehicles travel through water collected near water main break in Detroit.
DETROIT (FOX 2) – A water main break in Detroit is causing headaches for drivers and sending water into the streets of one of the city’s east side neighborhoods.
The break involves a 42-inch pipeline at East Jefferson and Burns Drive.
The breakage happened on Sunday, leaving only one lane open for each direction of travel.
Local perspective:
A day after the breakage, water was still gathering on the road of Jefferson Avenue.
Video captured of the scene Monday morning showed vehicles driving through ponds of water. Construction equipment were on site along with traffic cones.
The backstory:
This isn’t the only major disruption to water services in the region.
This weekend, a catastrophic breakage at 14 Mile near Drake impacted several Oakland County communities and thousands of residents.
Novi and Walled Lake were among those hardest hit by the breakage, which included dramatic scenes of waves of water washing down the road, submerging vehicles.
The Source: FOX 2’s Charlie Langton and previous reporting were cited for this story.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Public Schools budget proposals; board meeting Monday
MILWAUKEE – MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius proposed cutting more than 263 non-classroom positions to help bridge a $46 million structural budget deficit.
A special meeting of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors is scheduled to take place on Monday night, March 9, to vote on this proposal.
Shifting resources
What we know:
The district said the reductions, which would take effect for the 2026–27 school year pending school board approval, would save about $30 million.
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“It is an extremely difficult day for us here in Milwaukee Public Schools, but in the end, I’m still hopeful. I’m hopeful for our students, I’m hopeful for all of the employees we have, and every single employee matters to us,” said Cassellius. “This is hard, and we’ll get through it.”
Officials said no classroom teacher positions are being cut to close the budget gap. That said, the district may need fewer teachers where there is lower enrollment. About 40 of the 263 positions being eliminated are already vacant, meaning that not all reductions will result in layoffs. Affected employees eligible for classroom-based roles will be encouraged to apply for available positions.
Cassellius stressed that MPS faces rising costs while receiving a $0 state increase in general aid for 2026-27 public school students. While the recent referendum has helped to support arts, physical education, mental health services, and career exploration, the superintendent indicated it does not make up for the lack of state-funded inflation increase
Proposed reductions
By the numbers:
The approximately 263 position reductions include the following, according to the school district:
- MPS Central Services: About 116 positions from the offices of Academics; Communications; Family, Community, and Partnership; Finance; Human Resources; Operations; Schools office; and the Superintendent’s office
- Non‑classroom school‑based roles: About 147 positions, including assistant principals, deans of students, and implementers.
The Source: Milwaukee Public Schools released information about its proposal.
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