Overview
- Bethany MaGee, 26, was named publicly and remains in critical condition at Stroger Hospital’s burn unit with extensive burns.
- Federal prosecutors charged Lawrence Reed, 50, with committing a terrorist attack or violence against a mass transportation system, a charge that can carry a life sentence, and a judge ordered his detention with mental and medical evaluations.
- Surveillance and court records say Reed poured gasoline on MaGee aboard a Blue Line train on November 17 and ignited it as she fled to the Clark/Lake platform.
- Investigators obtained images showing Reed filling a small container with gasoline about 20 minutes before the assault; he was arrested wearing the same clothing and with burns on his hands.
- Authorities describe Reed as a repeat offender on electronic monitoring at the time, prompting sharp criticism from federal officials and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.