Authorities have identified Lawrence Reed as the man behind the shocking act of violence on a Chicago train, where a woman was set on fire during a routine commute
The incident shook the entire city and raised widespread calls for addressing public safety concerns, with residents demanding strict accountability.
Who is Lawrence Reed who set Bethany MaGee on fire in Chicago train
🚨 Lawrence Reed knocked a social worker unconscious on Aug 19, 2025. Judge Molina-Gonzalez released him despite prosecutors begging for detention. 3 months later he poured gasoline on Bethany McGee on a CTA train & lit her on fire.
The Judge is just as guilty as Reed! pic.twitter.com/ALhnLWAwzk
— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) November 23, 2025
A white woman was set on fire by a Black offender in Chicago, a man with forty-nine prior arrests. Judges had released him forty-nine times before the attack that took place this past Monday.
Lawrence Reed, fifty, with forty-nine previous arrests, was charged with setting a… pic.twitter.com/v8fg3Uvs6L
— Incompress (@theincompress) November 20, 2025
Authorities are currently piecing together the events as the case draws national attention and renewed focus on long-standing systemic failures.
Lawrence Reed identified as main suspect in Chicago Train Fire incident
Federal investigators have identified Lawrence Reed as the man who carried out the gruesome attack on a Blue Line L train late Monday. The surveillance footage of the incident reportedly shows him approaching a 26-year-old woman named Bethany MaGee from behind before pouring petrol over her and attempting several times to ignite it. As the woman ran through the carriage trying to escape, Reed chased her and eventually managed to spark the fuel.
The woman instantly burst into flames and collapsed on the platform just moments later with severe burns. Meanwhile, Reed proceeded to exit the train and walked away calmly, with no bystanders stopping him. Eyewitnesses described it as a terrifying scene, with commuters watching helplessly while responders tried to save the victim.
Motive behind the attack
As of now, investigators are still looking into the exact motive behind the attack, but they have not linked the assault to any personal dispute or known confrontation. According to the FBI and ATF, Lawrence Reed acted deliberately and violently without any provocation. Authorities also pointed towards his history of sudden and aggressive outbursts, with agents stating that his behavior appeared terrorizing in nature. Moreover, witnesses claimed how he was muttering comments to himself during transport—phrases like “burn alive”—which indicated intent rather than impulse.
Charges and allegations
Following the attack, Lawrence Reed now faces a federal terrorism charge, which is a serious offense that could put him behind bars for life. During his initial court hearing, Reed repeatedly shouted, “I plead guilty,” and insisted on representing himself. Notably, Reed was already out on pretrial release for an aggravated battery case involving a hospital social worker.
Past criminal record
According to official reports, Lawrence Reed has an extensive criminal history, with records showing 71 arrests and 13 convictions in Cook County. The charges included a previous aggravated arson case back in 2020, after he set a government building on fire just minutes before the governor’s arrival. Despite the severity of his crime, he received probation, and officials have now stated how repeated leniency has enabled this latest attack.
Lawrence Reed biography and age
Lawrence Reed is a 50-year-old American citizen who has spent years cycling through the justice system with no long-term intervention. As of now, there is not much publicly available information about his personal life, but public records suggest that he has struggled with stability. Reed has frequently encountered law enforcement for violent and unpredictable behavior and has no documented stable employment or an inconsistent work history.
Reed now faces federal terrorism charges in connection with the attack on Bethany MaGee which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison,.
Lawrence has a lengthy criminal record, including 72 arrests but despite his criminal history, Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez previously released Reed on a felony aggravated battery charge.
ALSO READ: Tears on a Withered Flower chapter 80 release date, time, spoilers and where to read