Man who allegedly set woman on fire on Chicago train had been arrested 72 times before incident

CHICAGO (TCN) -- The man accused of dousing a woman in gasoline and setting her on fire while onboard a Chicago public transit train has been charged with a federal terrorism offense, and prosecutors say he has a criminal history that includes 72 prior arrests.

Lawrence Reed, 50, was arrested Nov. 18 in connection with the Nov. 17 attack on a 26-year-old woman onboard a Blue Line “L” train that was traveling through downtown Chicago, the Department of Justice announced Nov. 19 in a news release.  

He has been charged with committing a terrorist attack against a mass transportation system, which carries a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. 

According to a criminal complaint filed Nov. 19, the DOJ says Reed purchased the gasoline from a gas station and placed it in handheld container prior to getting on the train. Once onboard, he approached the woman from behind, poured gasoline on her head and body, then chased her through the train before igniting the fuel and setting her on fire.

The victim of the attack was identified by the New York Post as Bethany MaGee. NBC Chicago reports she remains hospitalized.

Reed’s criminal history dates back more than 30 years, The Associated Press reports. He has spent 32 years in and out of the criminal justice system, starting at age 18, and has been arrested 72 times, Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Bond said during Reed’s detention hearing. Reed’s record reportedly includes eight felony and seven misdemeanor convictions.

In a public post on X, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “It is devastating that a career criminal with 72 PRIOR ARRESTS is now accused of attacking 26-year-old Bethany MaGee on Chicago’s L train and setting her on fire.”

At the time of the alleged attack on MaGee, Reed was being electronically monitored for an active charge of aggravated battery for allegedly hitting a social worker in the face in August, the AP reports. 

A federal judge ordered Reed to be held without bail in connection with the train attack on Nov. 17. Reed has no attorney and is representing himself, per AP.

A death penalty enhancement could apply if MaGee does not survive her injuries, the DOJ said, but the death penalty was abolished in Illinois in 2011. 

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