Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has identified the victim of a shocking attack on a Chicago train as 26-year-old Bethany MaGee, who has sustained severe burns from the incident.
Duffy criticized the city’s approach to crime, pointing out that the attack was allegedly perpetrated by a repeat offender with an extensive criminal history, totaling 72 previous arrests. He emphasized that such an event should have been preventable.
“It is deeply troubling that an individual with 72 prior arrests is now accused of attacking 26-year-old Bethany MaGee on Chicago’s L train and setting her on fire,” Duffy posted on X. “This incident could have been avoided if the offender had been incarcerated. Instead, Chicago’s leniency allows repeat offenders to walk free.”
He added, “The city’s negligence is endangering the safety of its residents. No one should have to fear for their safety on public transit.”
A photo of Bethany MaGee, critically injured in the November 17, 2025, attack on a Chicago L train, shows her holding a cat. This image was shared via Facebook.
Officials have identified the alleged assailant as 50-year-old Marcus Reed, who has a long history with the criminal justice system and was out on bond when the attack occurred. Reed faces charges of committing a terrorist act or violence against a mass transportation system, as stated in the criminal complaint.
Federal prosecutors allege that Reed intentionally used gasoline and a lighter to set MaGee on fire aboard a CTA Blue Line train at about 9:30 p.m. Monday.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros said the woman 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.
The woman 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, 50, is charged with committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system, according to officials. (Chicago Police Department)
Video allegedly showed Reed watching the woman, engulfed in flames, as she tried to put out the fire by rolling on the floor.
Boutros said as the woman was rolling on the ground, desperately trying to put out the fire, no one came to her aid.
When the train stopped at Clark and Lake, the complaint noted the victim, who was still on fire, managed to exit before collapsing on the platform.
“When she finally stumbled down, two Samaritans came and put out the blaze that was all consuming her,” Boutros said.
Lawrence Reed is pictured in a courtroom sketch of his detention hearing on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. (L.D. Chukman)
She suffered severe burns to her face and body and remains in critical condition, according to authorities.
Prosecutors obtained photos showing Reed at a gas station about 20 minutes before the attack, where he was seen entering the store, paying the cashier and filling a small container with gasoline.
Other images showed Reed inside the train holding a flaming bottle as he approached the victim.
Reed allegedly exited the train after setting the woman on fire and walked away.
During Reed’s first appearance in federal court Wednesday, he allegedly shouted, “I plead guilty, I plead guilty, I plead guilty.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura McNally asked him if he knew the maximum sentence was life in prison, to which he responded, “It’s cool, it’s cool, it’s cool.”
Following the hearing, ATF Special Agent in Charge Chris Amon commented on Reed’s violent criminal history and pending cases, adding he “had no business being on the streets.”
“Reed had plenty of second chances from the criminal justice system, and as a result, you have an innocent victim in the hospital fighting for her life,” Amon said. “Because of the swift action of CPD, ATF and our law enforcement partners, there will be no other chances for Mr. Reed.”
McNally suggested a mental and medical evaluation, though Boutros noted Reed had not been declared mentally incompetent in connection with any of his prior charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Bond said Friday that Reed has spent 32 years cycling through the criminal justice system, beginning around age 18. He’s been arrested 72 times and has eight felony and seven misdemeanor convictions.
Records show Reed has a lengthy criminal history, including a charge of felony aggravated arson from April 2020, after he allegedly started a fire at the Thompson Center, where Gov. J.B. Pritzker was holding a daily COVID-19 briefing.
He also faced misdemeanor battery charges for punching multiple women in the face, seemingly at random, and slapping a 42-year-old man in the face at the Halsted CTA Blue Line platform, FOX 32 Chicago reported.
In August, Reed was charged with aggravated battery after allegedly assaulting a woman at a psychiatric hospital, CWB Chicago reported. Despite prosecutors’ request to keep him detained, he was released with an ankle monitor.
