Trendpills
A Chicago man with a lengthy criminal history has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated arson after allegedly setting a fellow passenger on fire aboard a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Lawrence Reed, is being held without bail following the horrifying attack that left a woman with severe, life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred on a Red Line train, where prosecutors allege Reed approached the victim, Iryna Zarutska, and engaged her in a brief, unprovoked conversation. He then allegedly doused her with a flammable liquid from a cup and ignited it with a lighter, engulfing the upper half of her body in flames. Other passengers reportedly rushed to help extinguish the fire as the suspect fled the scene.
The victim, Iryna Zarutska, suffered severe burns over a significant portion of her body and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Authorities apprehended Reed shortly after the attack, identifying him through surveillance footage and witness descriptions. The attack appears to be random, as investigators have found no prior connection between Reed and Zarutska.
During his bond hearing, details emerged about Reed's extensive criminal background, which includes over 70 prior arrests and multiple felony convictions, according to reports from prosecutors. A Cook County judge subsequently ordered Reed held in detention without the possibility of bail, citing him as a clear and present danger to the public. The case has intensified scrutiny over public safety on the city's transit system and raised questions about the handling of repeat offenders within the justice system.
