City Sees Increase In Violence Following Ceremony

Chicago is once again making national headlines after a week of brutal violence that has left residents shaken and questions piling up. Two major incidents — a deadly shooting near the city’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a horrifying public transit attack where a young woman was set on fire — have drawn widespread attention. Yet Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has remained silent, offering no public statement about either case as of this writing.

The first incident took place on Monday morning when a 26-year-old woman was allegedly attacked on a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train. According to police and multiple reports, the suspect, Lawrence Reed, a repeat offender with a lengthy criminal record, doused the woman in gasoline and set her on fire. Witnesses said Reed allegedly shouted phrases including “burn btch” and “burn alive btch” during the attack. The woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Reed was arrested shortly after and is now facing multiple felony charges.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the incident tragic and requested expedited funding for the city’s public transit system. In his remarks, he described the attack as “an isolated incident” and expressed hope that federal officials would support the city in improving safety measures on public transportation.

Just days before, on Friday evening, violence erupted again — this time near one of the city’s most popular holiday events. After the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Millennium Park, gunfire broke out, leaving one person dead and at least eight others injured, according to CBS News. Authorities said the shooting appeared to involve young people and took place shortly after the ceremony ended.

In the aftermath, Mayor Johnson addressed the public, asking parents and community leaders to take a more active role in guiding youth, especially when large gatherings are planned. “We need parents, guardians, and other responsible adults to do their best to accompany young people to large, unsanctioned gatherings where weapons are likely present,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump weighed in over the weekend, offering federal help and sharply criticizing both the mayor and the governor. In a Truth Social post on Saturday, the president said, “The people are chanting, BRING IN TRUMP!!!” He continued, “Governor Pritzker and the low IQ Mayor of Chicago are refusing Federal Government help for a situation that could be quickly remedied.”