A quiet train ride turned into a nightmare in downtown Chicago. Authorities have now identified 26 year old Bethany MaGee as the woman set on fire during a violent attack on a CTA train earlier this month. The disturbing incident has sparked national outrage and renewed debate about repeat offenders and public safety.
Police say the attack happened around 9 p.m. on November 17 when MaGee sat with her back turned to the suspect. According to a federal affidavit, 50 year old Lawrence Reed approached her with a plastic bottle filled with gasoline. He allegedly poured the liquid onto her head and body before igniting it moments later. The footage and complaint detail that MaGee ran, but Reed pursued her with the burning bottle.
Good Samaritans Rushed to Help
Witnesses on the platform rushed to help as MaGee collapsed in flames after escaping the train. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Officials have not released updated details on her condition. Police arrested Reed the next day after reviewing surveillance footage showing him buying gasoline before the attack.
Federal prosecutors charged Reed with terrorism and violent crime on mass transit. According to Department of Justice records, those charges could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
Suspect Has Long Criminal History
Officials revealed that Reed has a lengthy criminal record, including 72 prior arrests dating back to the early 1990s. Records reported by local media show he faced 53 criminal cases in Cook County and multiple felony convictions. Despite this history, he served just over two and a half years in prison in total.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy publicly criticized the case, stating, “This would never have happened if this thug had been behind bars.” His post echoed growing criticism of public safety policies and concerns that repeat violent offenders are released too easily.
Disturbance in Court Hearing
During Reed’s first court appearance, reporters described chaotic behavior. According to local coverage and court filings, he shouted over the judge, claimed he was a Chinese citizen, and sang during the hearing. The judge ordered him held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center while the case proceeds.
Public Outcry and Calls for Reform
The attack comes at a time when transit systems across the country report rising safety concerns. A recent Reuters review of US transit data found violent crimes on public transportation increasing in several major cities since 2020.
Community members and public officials are demanding accountability. Many say MaGee’s case represents a failure of the system to prevent known dangerous individuals from returning to public spaces without strict oversight.
Family and Support
A public fundraising effort for MaGee continues as she remains hospitalized. Supporters say the young woman had been on her way home from work when the attack occurred. Messages shared online call her a kind person with a strong spirit.
Police and federal officials say the investigation remains active. Anyone with additional footage or eyewitness accounts has been asked to contact Chicago authorities.
The city continues to grapple with the question many are now asking nationwide. How can a person with decades of arrests walk freely onto a public train before carrying out a violent attack that changes lives forever?