Story perspectives

Man Charged with Arson on CTA Train, Victim Hospitalized

11/26/2025

Summary

Story summary

Lawrence Reed, the defendant, is charged with setting 26-year-old Bethany MaGee on fire on a Chicago Transit Authority train on November 17.
Reed allegedly poured gasoline over Bethany MaGee and ignited it.
Bethany MaGee sustained severe burns and is hospitalized.
Reed, 50, has a history of mental illness and 72 arrests and was on electronic monitoring at the time of the attack, prompting questions about Cook County's electronic monitoring program, criticized by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
MaGee's GoFundMe has raised over $12,000 to cover medical expenses.

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Story summary

Lawrence Reed, the defendant, is charged with setting 26-year-old Bethany MaGee on fire on a Chicago Transit Authority train on November 17.
Reed allegedly poured gasoline over Bethany MaGee and ignited it.
Bethany MaGee sustained severe burns and is hospitalized.
Reed, 50, has a history of mental illness and 72 arrests and was on electronic monitoring at the time of the attack, prompting questions about Cook County's electronic monitoring program, criticized by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
MaGee's GoFundMe has raised over $12,000 to cover medical expenses.