Lawrence Reed, 50, the man accused of setting a 26-year-old woman on fire aboard a Chicago train on November 17, had been released from custody in August after a Cook County judge rejected prosecutors’ requests to keep him detained.
Reed was charged on November 19 with one count of terrorism in federal court following the attack.
Bethany MaGee was doused in gasoline and set on fire in Chicago by a career criminal repeat offender with 72 prior arrests.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 22, 2025
SEVENTY TWO.
She’s now in the hospital fighting for her life.
Please stop and say a prayer for her. pic.twitter.com/r2TONVvrBA
According to authorities, Reed allegedly approached the woman while she was sleeping on a CTA train, poured liquid from a silver can believed to be a flammable accelerant onto her, ignited it with a lighter, and walked away.
The woman sustained burns to nearly 60 percent of her body and remains hospitalized in critical condition after multiple surgeries.
Reed, who is homeless, had a lengthy criminal history prior to the November attack.
Records show he had been arrested 72 times. His prior charges included felony aggravated arson — including a 2020 conviction for setting fire to a government building — aggravated battery, drug possession, criminal damage to property, and various theft-related offenses.
🚨 HOLY SMOKES! It's been confirmed that the man in Chicago who set a woman on fire had 72 ARRESTS – not the initially thought 49
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 21, 2025
JUDGE: "I can't put everyone behind bars just because the State Attorney asks me to."
This is a generational betrayal.pic.twitter.com/YIRr2tidze
Reed last appeared in court on August 22 before Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez, who released him on electronic monitoring.
The case involved a felony aggravated battery charge stemming from an August 19 assault at MacNeal Hospital. Prosecutors said Reed slapped a social worker in the hospital’s psychiatric ward, knocking the worker unconscious.
During the detention hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Jerrilyn Gumila argued that Reed’s history made him a danger to the public and that electronic monitoring was insufficient.
Gumila said surveillance footage showed Reed quickly becoming violent during a conversation with the worker.
“He became irate and slapped the victim in the face with an open palm,” Gumila said.
“Her vision went black, and she lost consciousness for several seconds.”
Gumila said the victim sustained a cut on the cornea, possible optic nerve bruising, a concussion resulting in nausea and memory loss, and a chipped tooth.
She also detailed Reed’s prior record, including the 2020 arson conviction, stating, “The defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of, especially this victim, whoever else was working in the hospital that day, and the community as a whole.”
Reed’s attorney, Nicholas Yannias, told the court that Reed has a documented history of mental illness and said his behavior was linked to that condition.
“Mr. Reed needs services, he does not need to be incarcerated for being mentally ill and acting in accordance with his mental illness,” Yannias said.
Judge Molina-Gonzalez said, “I understand your position, but I can’t keep everybody in jail because the state’s attorney wants me to, but I understand and respect your position.”
She released Reed on electronic monitoring, with conditions restricting his visits to the hospital except for medical emergencies.
She also allowed him to leave home 40 hours per week.
Under the SAFE-T Act, defendants on electronic monitoring are permitted 16 hours a week for essential activities.
On September 12, Judge Ralph Meczyk approved a motion from Yannias to adjust Reed’s allowed hours so he could participate in church activities.
A week later, on September 19, the aggravated battery charge from the August 19 incident was upgraded to a felony.
Court records reviewed in connection with the November 17 attack showed Reed had violated his curfew multiple times while on electronic monitoring in the weeks leading up to the incident.
