2025 Chicago train attack
| 2025 Chicago train attack | |
|---|---|
 Reed holding a flaming bottle while approaching the victim moments before the attack | |
| Location | 41°53′8.76″N 87°37′51.19″W / 41.8857667°N 87.6308861°W Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Date | November 17, 2025 9:25 p.m. (CST) |
| Target | Train passenger |
Attack type | Arson, non-fatal immolation |
| Weapons | Gasoline, lighter |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 2 (including the perpetrator) |
| Victim | Bethany MaGee, 26-year-old woman |
| Perpetrator | Lawrence Reed |
| Motive | Under investigation |
| Charges | Federal terrorism |
| Judge | Laura McNally |
On November 17, 2025, a woman was set on fire in a random arson attack on a Blue Line train in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The woman survived with critical injuries and the perpetrator was arrested. The attack has been declared an act of terrorism.
Incident
The perpetrator, sitting in the back of a train car, approached a woman as she had her back turned to him. He then removed the cap from a bottle, doused her in gasoline and ignited it while the train was stopped at the Clark/Lake station.[1] Passengers witnessed the attack but did not intervene for a while.[2] After the attack, the woman was pulled into a stop downtown. The woman stumbled out and fell onto the ground while the perpetrator watched before he walked away. He sustained fire-related injuries to his right hand during the attack. Surveillance video showed the perpetrator at a Garfield Park gas station about 30 minutes before the attack, filling a small container with gasoline.[3]
Victim
The victim, Bethany MaGee[4] 26-year-old caucasian woman, was transported to hospital in critical condition with severe burns to her head and body.[3] She remained hospitalized as of November 22.[5]
Perpetrator
The perpetrator was identified as 50-year-old Lawrence Reed. Reed was arrested a day after the attack after he made incriminating statements.[3] During his arrest, Reed yelled "burn alive". At the time of the arrest, he was still wearing the same clothes. In court, Reed shouted "I plead guilty! I plead guilty!" repeatedly as the judge spoke. As the judge tried to continue with the hearing by advising him of his rights, Reed said "Don’t talk to me!" and started singing "la-la-la-la" to drown her out. After the judge confirmed the charge, Reed said "it's cool" four times. Reed said he wanted to represent himself five times. He also claimed to be a Chinese citizen and asked the Chinese Consulate to be notified of his arrest. Reed was charged with federal terrorism. The charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison and if the victim dies, Reed could be eligible for the death penalty.[6] Reed has been arrested by Chicago police at least 72 times over the past 30 years and has a history of mental illness.[5] Days before the attack, Reed was suspected of attempting to set the City Hall-County Building on fire. He was also the suspect in a 2020 attempt at setting the James R. Thompson Center on fire. He was arrested and charged with criminal damage to government property for smashing out windows on another Blue Line train, for which he was later sentenced to two years of probation.[7]
See also
References
- ^ "Man accused of setting woman on fire on Chicago train faces federal terrorism charge". NBC News. November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ "Woman in critical condition after being set on fire on Chicago train". BNO News. November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Federal terrorism charge filed against a man who allegedly set a woman on fire on Chicago train". CNN. November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ "Career Criminal Who Set Woman ON FIRE in Chicago Had 72 Prior Arrests!". November 22, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "Judge orders suspect to remain detained after woman set on fire on Chicago L train". ABC News. November 21, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago Charges Man with Federal Terrorism Offense for Allegedly Setting Passenger on Fire on Chicago Train". United States Attorney. November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
- ^ "Man hit with federal terrorism charge for setting woman on fire on CTA Blue Line, shouts 'I plead guilty!' in court". Chicago Tribune. November 19, 2025. Retrieved November 22, 2025.