Bethany MaGee was burned alive by Lawrence Reed, officials said.

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

Federal authorities have identified Bethany MaGee, 26, as the woman who was set on fire during a violent attack on a Chicago train last week.

And the man behind it, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, has an arrest record that would make anyone's head spin, according to federal officials.

"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," US DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said.

"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."

MaGee was riding a Blue Line train around 9:24 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17 when Reed walked toward her holding a bottle, according to federal officials. Reed “poured a liquid from the bottle all over the victim’s head and body” and then “attempted to ignite the liquid,” according to surveillance footage described in the complaint.

MaGee tried to run to the front of the car as Reed chased her, the filing states. Reed then picked up the bottle, which was already on fire, and lit MaGee on fire, the complaint says.

Federal agents say MaGee became almost fully engulfed in flames as Reed watched from the front of the train.

Reed yelled "burn alive b—," as he doused MaGee in gasoline on a Chicago subway, authorities said.

Reed yelled "burn alive b—," as he doused MaGee in gasoline on a Chicago subway, authorities said.

USDOJ
USDOJ

The train stopped at the Clark and Lake platform, where MaGee collapsed as commuters rushed to help her, according to investigators. Reed exited the train and walked away from the platform. Officers later found a melted bottle, a lighter, and burned clothing inside train car #3236.

Surveillance video shows Reed about 20 minutes before the attack filling a small container with gasoline at a Citgo station at 3357 W. Harrison Street, the complaint says. Reed then walked roughly a third of a mile to the Blue Line station at Kedzie and Congress.

Chicago police arrested Reed the next day, Nov. 18, at 11:29 a.m. near 140 West Washington Street. Officers said he was wearing the same clothing seen in the video and had “fire-related injuries to his right hand.” While in a squad car, Reed made repeated “spontaneous and unprompted utterances,” yelling “burn bitch” and “burn alive bitch,” according to the complaint.

Reed is charged with a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system, a federal offense. MaGee remains in critical condition in the hospital.

According to Fox News, Reed was charged with aggravated arson in April 2020 after starting the fire at the Thompson Center, where Gov. J.B. Pritzker was holding a daily COVID briefing. He was also charged after punching numerous random women in the face, once slapping a 42-year-old man in the head at a train platform.

Bethany Magee 

Bethany Magee 

Bethany Magee Facebook

A former classmate of MaGee's tells the NY Post she is soft-spoken and very smart. She apparently hails from Indiana.