Bethany MaGee, Victim of Chicago Train Attack, Remembered as Intelligent and Kind

CHICAGO, Illinois — November 25, 2025 — Bethany MaGee, a 26-year-old woman critically injured in an attack aboard a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train on November 17, is being remembered by friends and neighbors as a kind, intelligent individual from a close-knit small-town family in Indiana.

MaGee, who remains in critical condition at a hospital burn unit, is described as an avid reader and a former honors student at her Indiana high school. A former classmate characterized her as “incredibly smart,” “soft spoken,” and “very gentle.” Residents of her hometown of Upland, Indiana, noted that she comes from a loving Christian community that is keeping her and her family in their thoughts and prayers.

One local described the MaGee family as “wonderful” and emphasized their desire for privacy as they cope with the aftermath of the attack. The community has expressed support amid the difficult time.

Authorities have identified the alleged attacker as 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, a career criminal with a lengthy history in the criminal justice system. Reed was out on bond and under electronic monitoring at the time of the assault. Court records indicate that he had repeatedly violated curfew and movement restrictions in the days leading up to the incident.

Reed had been ordered onto electronic monitoring on August 22 after a Cook County judge denied a prosecution request to keep him jailed on felony charges related to an earlier incident at a psychiatric ward. During that hearing, the judge noted the challenges of detaining all defendants requested by the State’s Attorney.

The White House commented on the attack, criticizing what it described as “liberal soft-on-crime policies” in major cities and highlighting Reed’s extensive criminal record, which includes 72 arrests. Officials called for prayers for MaGee and underscored concerns about public safety.

The investigation into the attack continues, with Reed facing charges related to the incident. Meanwhile, MaGee’s family and community remain focused on her recovery and privacy during this difficult period.