A young woman from Chicago, just 26 years old, has become the center of a tragic story that has left her community reeling. Friends and neighbors describe her as a compassionate and diligent individual, deeply rooted in her small-town upbringing.

Bethany MaGee, the victim of this appalling incident, is remembered fondly by those who know her. A former classmate, Ethan, shared with the New York Post that she was an enthusiastic reader and excelled academically during her high school years in Indiana. “She is incredibly smart. Very soft-spoken, very gentle, very intelligent,” he recounted, painting a picture of a bright and kind woman.

In the town of Upland, Indiana, where Bethany’s family resides, the community is rallying around them with support and prayers. This small, tight-knit Christian community is holding Bethany in their thoughts as she battles for her life in a hospital burn unit. The attack occurred on November 17 aboard a CTA Blue Line train in Chicago.

A neighbor from Upland expressed the collective sentiment, saying, “We just know they are going through a hard time, so we are praying for them.” This sentiment of solidarity underscores the strong bonds within the community as they await hopeful news of Bethany’s recovery.

An image shared on Bethany’s Facebook, showing her holding a cat, adds a poignant touch to her story, capturing a moment of warmth and peace before the tragedy.

“We just know they are going through a hard time, so we are praying for them,” one local told the outlet.

“They’re a wonderful family… about as loving as you can be,” the resident said, stressing the parents’ desire for privacy as they process the tragedy.

Authorities said the alleged attacker, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, has spent decades cycling through the criminal justice system and was out on bond at the time of the assault.

Reed had been ordered onto electronic monitoring on Aug. 22, when Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez denied a prosecution request to keep him jailed on felony allegations that he knocked a social worker unconscious inside MacNeal Hospital’s psychiatric ward.

During that hearing, transcripts show Molina-Gonzalez told prosecutors, “I can’t keep everybody in jail because the State’s Attorney wants me to.”

According to court documents in that battery case, Cook County electronic monitoring records show Reed repeatedly violated his curfew and movement restrictions in the days leading up to the alleged Chicago Transit Authority attack on Nov. 17.

Split of the Chicago train attack crime scene and Lawrence Reed (Captured News; Chicago Police Department)

On Tuesday, the White House weighed in on the attack on MaGee, blasting left-wing policies in deep-blue cities.

“Liberal soft-on-crime policies are FAILING American communities and endangering law-abiding citizens,” the White House wrote on X. “A career criminal with 72 arrests should have never been free to roam the streets. Pray for Bethany.”

Reed has been charged with committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system, according to the criminal complaint.

Federal prosecutors allege that Reed intentionally used gasoline and a lighter to set MaGee on fire aboard the train at about 9:30 p.m.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros said MaGee was “minding her own business and reading her phone” while seated in the middle of the train car when Reed approached her from behind, doused her head and body with gasoline, and tried to ignite the liquid.

MaGee ran to the back of the car as he ignited the rest of the liquid in the bottle and then used it to light her on fire, according to the complaint.

Lawrence Reed is pictured in a courtroom sketch of his detention hearing on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (L.D. Chukman)

MaGee’s hometown in Indiana is an enclave of fewer than 4,000 people and is home to Taylor University. She was raised by a doting family, a neighbor said.

A man who identified himself to the Post as the victim’s brother at a family home Monday said, “Thanks for stopping by but no comments at this time.”