Woman Set on Fire on Chicago Subway: Trump Criticizes City Leadership as Suspect With 72 Prior Arrests Faces Terrorism Charges

A horrific incident unfolded on Chicago's public transit when a 26-year-old woman was deliberately set ablaze on a moving CTA Blue Line train in downtown Chicago. The attack occurred around 9 pm on November 17, according to police reports.

Security footage obtained by NBC News captured the suspect, Lawrence Reed, moving through the train carrying a bottle. The video shows Reed approaching the victim, Bethany MaGee, from behind, pouring liquid on her head, and attempting to ignite her. As MaGee struggled and fled toward the front of the train, Reed pursued her.

During the chase, Reed lit the bottle, momentarily dropped it, retrieved it, and used it to set MaGee on fire. He then positioned himself at the front of the train car and watched as flames engulfed the woman.

According to the official complaint, MaGee was "almost fully engulfed in flames" and desperately attempted to extinguish the fire by rolling on the floor. When the train halted at the Clark and Lake Street station, she stumbled onto the platform and collapsed.

The 50-year-old suspect calmly exited the train and walked away from the scene. Responding officers found the victim lying on her back suffering from "severe burns to her face and body," as stated in the complaint.

President Donald Trump characterized Chicago as "out of control" during his remarks at the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House.

"This is a very serious thing. They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Think of that. And they'll let him out again, the liberal judges will let him out again," Trump stated.

Trump directed criticism at Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of rejecting federal assistance despite escalating crime rates. He asserted that crime decreased significantly when he deployed federal forces to other major metropolitan areas during his previous administration.

The President labeled Mayor Johnson as incompetent and criticized Governor Pritzker, suggesting he should accept federal intervention to "make Chicago safe."

"We're going to lose a great city if we don't do it quickly. We're ready to go. It's horrible what's happening in Chicago. The people of Chicago want us to go there," Trump added.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed outrage regarding the case, noting the shocking fact that a man with 72 previous arrests was now accused of attacking 26-year-old Bethany MaGee and setting her on fire on Chicago's L train, as reported by the NY Post.

Duffy contended that the incident could have been prevented had Reed been incarcerated rather than allowed to move freely throughout the city. Reed now faces federal terrorism charges for the violent attack. "Chicago's carelessness is putting the American people at risk. No one should ever have to fear for their life on the subway," Duffy remarked.

Officials revealed that Reed's criminal history spans decades. Since 2016 alone, he has been arrested 22 times. His record in Cook County includes 53 criminal cases dating back to 1993. Of these cases, nine were serious felony charges, to which he pleaded guilty in each instance.

Despite his extensive criminal record, Reed has served minimal prison time. According to CWB Chicago, he has been incarcerated only twice, serving a total of approximately two and a half years behind bars.