A 26-year-old woman, Bethany MaGee, was allegedly set on fire by a career criminal on a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line train, a brutal incident that has left the community reeling. MaGee, described as a kind, hardworking, and intelligent young woman, is from a close-knit, small-town family in Indiana. The attack occurred on Nov. 17, and MaGee remains in critical condition at a hospital burn unit following the incident.
According to friends and neighbors, MaGee was an avid reader who took honors classes at her high school in Indiana. A former classmate, Ethan, who spoke with the New York Post, described her as “incredibly smart. Very soft spoken, very gentle, very smart.” The community of Upland, where MaGee’s family resides, has expressed profound concern over the tragedy, with residents emphasizing the family’s desire for privacy as they navigate the aftermath.
Lawrence Reed, the alleged perpetrator, is a 50-year-old repeat offender with a criminal history that spans decades. Authorities have stated that Reed was on bond at the time of the attack, having been released from electronic monitoring after a previous court hearing. During the hearing, the judge, Teresa Molina-Gonzalez, expressed frustration with the state attorney’s request to keep Reed in custody, stating, “I can’t keep everybody in jail because the State’s Attorney wants me to.”
The attack on MaGee has also drawn national attention, with the White House issuing a statement criticizing left-wing policies in deep-blue cities for allegedly failing to protect citizens from criminal activity. A post on X declared, “Liberal soft-on-crime policies are FAILING American communities and endangering law-abiding citizens.” The victim’s family and community continue to receive support and prayers from residents, who emphasize the deep-rooted bonds of the tight-knit Christian community in Upland.
Reed has been charged with a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system, according to federal prosecutors. The criminal complaint alleges that Reed intentionally used gasoline and a lighter to set MaGee on fire aboard the train at about 9:30 p.m. MaGee was described as minding her own business while reading her phone, when Reed approached from behind, poured the gasoline over her, and attempted to ignite it. She fled to the back of the car, where she suffered severe burns before being hospitalized in critical condition.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about the challenges of managing individuals with extensive criminal records and the consequences of insufficient oversight in the criminal justice system. The victim’s hometown in Indiana, an enclave of fewer than 4,000 people, is home to Taylor University, where MaGee was raised by a doting family. A man who identified himself as the victim’s brother at a family home Monday stated, “Thanks for stopping by but no comments at this time.”
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case underscores the gravity of the crime and the need for comprehensive reform in addressing public safety concerns. The tragedy has served as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law-abiding citizens and the importance of effective criminal justice oversight to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.