Bethany MaGee, 26
26-year-old woman riding the CTA Blue Line in the Loop. SURVIVED the attack with severe burns to more than half her body; released from Stroger Hospital's burn ward on February 6, 2026.
- Original chargePrior conviction triggering electronic monitoringAugust 1, 2025
- ReleasedElectronic monitoring (pretrial release)August 15, 2025
- 94 days laterOtherNovember 17, 2025
What happened
On November 17 2025, Reed allegedly set Bethany MaGee on fire while she rode a CTA Blue Line train in the Loop. She survived with severe burns to more than half her body. Reed was on electronic monitoring for a separate offense at the time; an EM curfew-violation alert went out just after noon that day, hours before the attack. He was charged with federal terrorism in addition to state charges. MaGee was discharged from the burn ward in February 2026.
The release decision
On August 1, 2025, Lawrence Reed was charged with prior conviction triggering electronic monitoring. Various Cook County Judges Multiple Cook County Judges (Pending Full Identification) ordered the release on August 15, 2025. Terms: electronic monitoring (pretrial release). Prosecutors had asked for detention given criminal history. The defendant had 72 prior arrests at the time.
The defendant's record
72 prior arrests by Chicago police over 32 years. 15 criminal convictions including 8 felonies. Documented history of mental illness. On electronic monitoring for a separate crime at the time of the attack — with multiple curfew violations in the preceding days.
Sources
- 2025 Chicago train immolation, Wikipedia
- Family IDs woman set on fire on CTA as Bethany MaGee; officials question EM system after Lawrence Reed arrest, ABC7 Chicago
- Woman set afire in CTA Blue Line attack released from hospital, Chicago Sun-Times
- Who is Bethany MaGee? Chicago Train Fire Victim Identified, Newsweek