Victim lit on fire in horrifying Chicago train attack identified
This still image taken from Chicago Transit Authority surveillance footage and included in a federal court record shows a man who federal authorities identified as Lawrence Reed holding a flaming bottle and approaching a passenger, far left, on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, on a Chicago Blue Line train. (Chicago Transit Authority/U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois via AP)
WASHINGTON (TNND) — The 26-year old victim set on fire by a career criminal with 72 prior arrests while aboard a Chicago L train last week was identified as Bethany MaGee.
“It is devastating that a career criminal with 72 PRIOR ARRESTS is now accused of attacking 26-year-old Bethany MaGee on Chicago’s L train, and setting her on fire,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote.
“This would never have happened if this thug had been behind bars. Yet Chicago lets repeat offenders roam the streets.”
“Chicago’s carelessness is putting the American people at risk. No one should ever have to fear for their life on the subway,” Duffy continued.
The horrific attack leaving MaGee in critical condition with severe burns covering her face and body occurred on Monday, November 17 at around 9 p.m. A security camera from the L train showed MaGee scrolling on her phone when alleged perpetrator Lawrence Reed, 50, came behind and doused her head with gasoline.
He attempted to light a flame as MaGee ran to the back of the train. However, Reed caught up to her. Video shows he lit the bottle of gasoline on fire, which he then used to light her on fire. As bystanders stood idly by, MaGee, engulfed in flames, dropped and rolled to the floor in an effort to extinguish the fire. Once the train came to a stop, MaGee, who was still on fire, ran off the train and collapsed on the platform. Several bystanders aboard the platform came to her and helped extinguish the fire.
Meanwhile, Reed exited the train. Twenty minutes prior to the attack, Reed was pictured at a gas station paying for the gasoline in a container.
The 50-year old suspect has eight felony and seven misdemeanor convictions. Just in August, he was charged with aggravated battery for allegedly assaulting a woman at a psychiatric hospital. Instead of being detained as was requested by prosecutors, Reed was released with an ankle monitor.
Reed appeared before a judge on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty.
“Lawrence Reed had no business being on the streets given his violent criminal history and his pending criminal cases,” ATF special agent-in-charge Christopher Amon said at a press conference. “Reed had plenty of second chances by the criminal justice system and as a result you have an innocent victim in the hospital fighting for her life.”
The violent attack on MaGee comes just three months after 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska was brutally stabbed to death by alleged suspect Decarlos Brown Jr., a career criminal with 14 prior arrests.