A 50-year-old man now facing federal terrorism charges allegedly unleashed a horrific attack on a Chicago train, setting a woman ablaze. Disturbing new details reveal a pattern of disregard for court-ordered restrictions in the weeks leading up to the incident, raising serious questions about public safety protocols.
Lawrence Reed was placed on electronic monitoring August 22nd after allegedly knocking a social worker unconscious at a hospital psychiatric ward. Despite a prosecution request to keep him jailed, a judge released him, stating she couldn’t simply detain individuals based on the State’s Attorney’s wishes.
Court records now show Reed repeatedly violated the terms of his electronic monitoring in the days before the November 17th attack. He routinely left his home outside authorized hours, returned late, and triggered multiple “escalated alerts” indicating significant non-compliance with the program.
The violations occurred on several dates: November 9th, 12th-13th, 14th-15th, and again on the 15th. Critically, alerts continued even into the early morning hours of November 18th, shortly after the alleged train attack took place.
The attack itself unfolded around 9 p.m. on the Blue Line. Reed allegedly approached a 26-year-old woman from behind and doused her with gasoline from a plastic bottle, according to investigators.
A terrifying struggle ensued as the woman fought to fend off Reed’s attempt to ignite the fuel. Surveillance footage shows her fleeing through the train car while Reed relentlessly pursued her, continuing his assault.
Reed ultimately ignited the gasoline and set the woman on fire. Prosecutors state he then approached the victim and used the burning bottle to inflict further harm. He was later apprehended with burn marks on his hand, wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance footage.
The victim, identified as 26-year-old Bethany MaGee, suffered severe burns to her face and body and remains in critical condition. Her fight for survival continues as authorities investigate the full extent of her injuries.
Reed’s approved schedule allowed him limited freedom: Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The documented violations demonstrate a clear pattern of ignoring these restrictions.
Months prior to the attack, the Cook County State’s Attorney reportedly warned staff that the electronic monitoring program was not adequately prepared for its responsibilities, describing it as a “serious threat to public safety.” This internal memo foreshadowed the potential for dangerous consequences.
Prosecutors have now moved to revoke Reed’s pretrial release in a separate aggravated battery case, seeking to have him held without bond. A hearing is scheduled for December 4th, while the federal terrorism case continues to develop.
The judge in the federal case has already ordered Reed detained pretrial, but a future court date has not yet been set. The incident has ignited a debate about the effectiveness and safety of electronic monitoring programs and the balance between individual liberties and public protection.
