CPD officer sues CTA after man set himself on fire on train
A Chicago police officer who was hurt while responding to a man that doused himself in paint-thinner on a Red Line train and set himself on fire has filed a lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court and names one of the officers involved in the initial response. That officer is suing both the CTA and one of its supervisors.
In January, authorities responded to the Argyle stop when passengers told the train’s operator that David Ferguson was allegedly threatening self-immolation with a can of paint-thinner.
Video shows the response by Officer Frank Proano -- the second officer into the train car -- another officer and a CTA supervisor.
The lawsuit alleges Proano told the supervisor to close the train doors, instead saying the supervisor charged at Ferguson, kicking and punching, alleging that caused the situation to escalate.
Once the flames ignite, Proano is the second officer out of the door, and, according to his attorney, sustains a shoulder injury that is still healing. And because of that, they say the CTA and its supervisor should be held responsible.
Proano has been on medical leave. The lawsuit asks for damages to be determined by a jury.
Ferguson was charged in the incident.