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Chicago train attack suspect ordered by judge to remain in custody ahead of trial
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The suspect who was federally charged after allegedly lighting a young woman on fire this week on a Chicago Blue Line train was ordered by a judge to remain detained ahead of his trial.
Lawrence Reed, 50, is charged with committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system. Federal prosecutors said Reed intentionally used gasoline and a lighter to set the woman on fire at about 9:30 p.m. Monday.
“He is simply too dangerous for pre-trial release,” federal prosecutors wrote in a court filing obtained by Fox News ahead of Reed’s detention hearing on Friday.
“Defendant’s actions and criminal history, as shown below, demonstrate that he is a serious danger to everyone in the community,” the filing added. “The state court system has been unable to contain defendant’s violent crimes, and federal intervention is now needed.
“BLUE CITY SUSPECT WITH NUMEROUS PRIOR ARRESTS FEDERALLY CHARGED AFTER ALLEGEDLY SETTING WOMAN ABLAZE ON TRAIN
Lawrence Reed, 50, is charged with one count of committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system, the Northern District of Illinois U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement. (Chicago Police Department; U.S. District Court)
Judge Laura McNally ultimately ordered Reed detained pre-trial, citing his criminal history, the seriousness of the allegations, and the danger he poses to the community.
During Friday’s hearing, Reed — appearing in a jail jumpsuit and handcuffs — told the judge, “I’m going to represent myself.”
Lawrence Reed is pictured in a courtroom sketch of his detention hearing on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (L.D. Chukman)
Prosecutors described the alleged conduct as “horrific and depraved,” saying Victim A was simply “minding her own business” when Reed ignited her. As surveillance images were displayed in court, Reed shook his head, smirked and at one point winked toward apparent family members in the gallery.
CHICAGO PERSON OF INTEREST IN TRAIN FIRE ATTACK HAS 22 PRIOR ARRESTS, WAS FREED BY JUDGE: REPORT
Train footage shows Reed allegedly coming up behind the woman and pouring the liquid on her head and body. (U.S. District Court documents)
Federal prosecutors said Reed, according to Chicago Police Department records, has been arrested at least 72 times over the last 30 years.
“At least 15 of those arrests were since 2016, with the most recent occurring in August 2025. He has approximately 15 convictions, eight of which were for felony offenses including arson, criminal damage to government supported property valued over $500, drug trafficking, drug possession, and a felony traffic offense,” the filing said.
During Monday’s alleged attack, Reed “was facing charges in the Circuit Court of Cook County for aggravated battery causing great bodily harm after he allegedly struck a person about the head or face area with an open palm while at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois,” according to the filing.
“Defendant presents a clear danger and persistent threat of terror to the community. Defendant has been leniently treated in state court, including receiving probationary sentences for violent offenses and pre-trial release for a victim-involved crime. In exchange for such lenient treatment, defendant has consistently re-offended and delved further into criminality,” it also said. “Just three months ago, defendant physically attacked someone at MacNeil Hospital, but a judge ordered him released from custody pending trial. Undeterred, defendant, on Monday, set Victim A on fire.”
Lawrence Reed was allegedly wearing the same clothing as the suspect seen on surveillance footage lighting a 26-year-old woman on fire when authorities confronted him one day later, according to federal prosecutors. (U.S. District Court)
When given the chance to speak on Friday, Reed said he agreed with the government’s request for detention, telling the judge repeatedly: “It’s for my safety. I don’t feel safe out there. . . . I don’t feel safe to society. . . . I’m a target from society.”
Judge McNally ordered him detained, citing his history, the strength of the evidence and community risk. She also ordered a mental evaluation after Reed told the court he had not taken his medication.
As the hearing concluded, Reed told the judge: “Just make sure I eat. . . . If you want to trial me, you have to feed me.”
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The judge did not state an explicit next court date during the hearing.
Fox News’ Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
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About 1,000 animal welfare activists who tried to gain entry on Saturday to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin were turned back by police who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd and arrested the group’s leader.
It was the second attempt in as many months by protesters to take beagles from the Ridglan Farms facility in Blue Mounds, a small town about 25 miles (about 40 kilometres) southwest of Wisconsin’s capital, Madison.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a video statement that 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property” and assault officers. He said protesters have ignored designated areas for peaceful protest and blocked roads to prevent emergency vehicles from entering.
“This is not a peaceful protest,” Barrett said.
The sheriff’s department said a “significant” number of people were arrested out of about 1,000 protesters at the site but did not give an exact total as they were still being processed as of the afternoon.
Protesters tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence. Some protesters did get through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.
Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer
Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.
In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.
Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.
A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.
The Pistons could use someone like Kennard
Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.
Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.
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MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department requested the public’s help to find 11-year-old Sir’Charles Bason, a critically missing boy who was last seen near Teutonia and Kiley at around 6:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.
Police described Bason as 4 feet, 5 inches tall with a slim build, brown eyes and black, low-cut hair. He was last seen wearing a gray jacket with green lines, dark-colored jeans, tan sandals and carrying gray Nike Jordan shoes.
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Anyone with information on Bason’s whereabouts is asked to call Milwaukee Police District 4 at 414-935-7242.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department released information.
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