The lady who was set on fire on a downtown Chicago L train was identified as 26-year-old Bethany MaGee by Federal Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. MaGee suffered severe burns to her face and body as a result of the attack on November 17, 2025. The accused assailant, Lawrence Reed, 50, has been charged with a federal terrorist felony including an act of violence on a public transit system. Authorities characterize Reed as a career criminal with 72 prior offenses.
“If this thug had been in jail, this would never have happened,” Duffy said in a statement criticizing the city’s practices. However, Chicago permits repeat offenders to walk the streets,” stating that the episode serves as an example of how “Chicago’s negligence is endangering the American people.”
Reed is accused of approaching MaGee from behind, dousing her in gasoline, and setting her on fire while other passengers watched from her seat on the train. Reed allegedly bought fuel around 20 minutes prior to the attack, according to video footage taken from the train and earlier at a nearby gas station. He was taken into arrest the following day after being caught leaving the train following the incident.
Despite pending felony accusations, Reed was recently placed on an ankle monitor, according to investigators. As authorities look into how a high-risk offender managed to stay free and commit such a heinous crime, criticism of Chicago’s legal system and public safety procedures is growing.