Bethany MaGee, 26, is identified as Chicago victim set on fire on CTA train by serial thug with 72 arrests

The New York Post ^ | 11/24/2025 | Chris Nesi

[thegagline]

The 26-year-old woman who cops said was set on fire by a lunatic with a lengthy rap sheet on a Chicago L train earlier this month has been 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,” US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on social media Sunday.

“This would never have happened if this thug had been behind bars. Yet Chicago lets repeat offenders roam the streets,” Duffy said of suspect Lawrence Reed, 50, who is facing federal terrorism charges in connection with the senseless fire attack.

Reed approached MaGee, who was sitting with her back to the crazed firebug on the train in downtown Chicago around 9 p.m. Nov. 17, according to the criminal complaint.

He then removed the cap from a bottle of liquid, pouring it all over her head and body. MaGee fled, but Reed caught up with her and set the bottle, which fell to the floor, on fire, but he allegedly retrieved it and used it to set her ablaze.

She was engulfed in flames but somehow managed to exit the train before collapsing on the platform, where good Samaritans stepped in to help her and she was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, according to the complaint.

*** Reed has 22 prior arrests since 2016 alone, and 53 criminal cases in Cook County dating back to 1993 — nine of them felonies for which he pleaded guilty, officials said.

However, he’s only served time twice, spending just two and a half years behind bars in total, according to CWB Chicago.***

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TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: blacks; racewar; racism; tryasearch

[thegagline]

3% of our population has caused so much suffering, pain, death and destruction.

[1Old Pro]

once upon a time we punished and incarcerated criminals and treated the mentally ill.

[rlmorel]

You and I disagree on many things, but your use of the "3% of our population has caused so much suffering..." is absolutely spot on.

In a sane world, say a town of 1000 people where 30 people were causing 40% of the violence, murder, rape, assault, and general law-breaking in that small town, those 30 people would be focused on and dealt with.

[FlingWingFlyer]

When is TSA going to start checking riders’ “junk” for matches and lighters before they can get on board?