Chicago Dem Mayor Calls Justice System An ‘Absolute Failure’ After Career Criminal Torches Woman

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is calling the criminal-justice system a “failure” after a woman was doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire while riding a rapid-transit train Monday night.

“This is an absolute failure of our criminal justice system as well as our mental health institutions,” Johnson said during a city hall press conference Thursday.

Authorities allege that Lawrence Reed, 50, attacked a 26-year-old woman by pouring gasoline on her and setting her ablaze aboard a Blue Line train near downtown Chicago. He is now charged with a federal terrorism offense against a mass transit system. During his court hearing Wednesday, Reed shouted “I plead guilty” several times as he was restrained by officers.

According to ABC7 Chicago, Reed has 14 criminal cases, including several battery charges, dating back to 2017. In 2020, Reed was reportedly under 24-month mental health probation after starting a fire outside a building in Chicago.

“This individual was charged with dozens of felonies over the past three decades,” Johnson said. “He was clearly, seriously mentally disturbed and a danger to himself and others. The system we had failed to intervene and now we have a woman who is fighting for her life. I am praying for her.”

Illinois passed a $1.5 billion transit funding bill in October that Johnson said could make Chicago’s transit systems safer through mental health and homelessness programs.

Right now, DailyWire+ annual memberships are fifty percent off during our Black Friday sale. Join now at dailywire.com/blackfriday.

“As far as how we show up with law enforcement or security agencies, those things will be debated, but just know that it’s a top priority.”

Mayor Johnson has been critical of President Donald Trump’s efforts to crack down on crime in Chicago. He claimed Trump was trying to “re-ignite” a civil war by sending National Guardsmen to crime-ridden big cities led by Democrats.

The state of Illinois and the city of Chicago have been engaged in an ongoing legal battle with the Trump administration after troops were deployed to Chicago, but they have been ordered to leave as the conflict plays out in court.

The suspect is expected back in court on Friday.