Lawrence Reed, 50, is seen on this still from surveillance footage on the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train on Nov. 17 during what authorities have called an "unprovoked and horrific" attack on a woman he allegedly set on fire.

A man accused of setting a woman on fire on a Chicago train this week has been federally charged with committing a terrorist attack, authorities said.

Lawrence Reed, 50, was identified as the suspect in the Nov. 17 attack on a Chicago Transit Authority train in the city's Loop district, according to a federal criminal complaint. He was arrested Nov. 18 and federally charged on Nov. 19 with committing a terrorist act or other violence against a mass transportation system.

The victim, an unidentified 26-year-old woman, remained in critical condition as of Nov. 19, the Chicago Police Department said in an update. She sustained "severe" burns to her face and body, the criminal complaint said.

The attack was "unprovoked and horrific," police said.

"Our police officers and detectives identified the offender and took him into custody in less than 24 hours. Their quick response is proof that heinous acts of violence like this will never be tolerated in our city," Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a statement.

What happened in the attack on the CTA train?

The attack unfolded at about 9:25 p.m. on Nov. 17 on a Blue Line train when Reed approached the victim and poured a bottle of liquid all over her, the complaint said. While Reed attempted to ignite the liquid, the victim fought back and ran away from him on the train, according to the complaint. Reed chased the victim and ignited the bottle still in his hand, which he then dropped, the complaint said.

Reed picked the bottle up again and used it to ignite the victim, whose body became engulfed in flames, according to the complaint, which cited surveillance footage obtained from the train.

The victim tried to extinguish herself by dropping to the train floor and rolling around. The train then stopped at the Clark and Lake station, and the victim exited the train and collapsed to the ground, still on fire. Bystanders came to her aid, the criminal complaint said.

Reed got off the train and fled, police said.

Suspect burned himself while committing attack, authorities say

Investigators found the empty, partially melted bottle, a lighter and ignitable fluid on the train along with some of the victim's burned clothing, the complaint said.

Shortly before riding the train, investigators found that Reed had visited a gas station and filled up a plastic bottle with gasoline, authorities said.

"At the time of his arrest, the offender was wearing the same clothing he was seen wearing on surveillance camera during the attack on the Blue Line. He also had burn injuries to his hands," police said.

After his arrest, Reed made statements including “burn bitch” and “burn alive bitch," the criminal complaint said.

NBC Chicago reported that Reed made his first appearance in court on Nov. 19 and yelled "I plead guilty" upon entering the courtroom, declined counsel and sang over the judge, who ordered he be receive a medical mental evaluation.

It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man accused of setting woman on fire on Chicago train charged with terrorist attack

Reporting by Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect