The White House has labeled the Chicago man accused of dousing a woman in gasoline and setting her on fire as a “career criminal,” intensifying political debate over Illinois’ justice policies and the recent elimination of cash bail.
The suspect, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, was arrested in connection with the 17 November attack against 26-year-old Bethany MaGee, who survived but is now “fighting for her life with horrific burns,” according to the White House. Officials revealed that Reed had 72 prior arrests, including eight felony convictions and seven misdemeanors, raising concerns about how he remained free despite such a long criminal record.
During a court appearance on Monday, Reed shouted “I’m guilty” three times, even after the judge warned that he could face a life sentence under charges that include committing a terrorist attack.
The White House criticized Democratic leadership in Illinois and Chicago, linking the incident to what it characterized as “soft-on-crime” policies. It specifically blamed the state’s new no-cash-bail law, signed by Governor JB Pritzker, and used by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, whom it described as supportive of “defund-the-police” ideals.
Mayor Johnson, in response, called the attack “a tragic incident” and expressed solidarity with the victim and her family. He later added that Reed’s case highlighted “an absolute failure of our criminal justice as well as our mental health institutions,” noting the suspect’s long-documented mental health struggles.
In August, Reed was arrested for allegedly assaulting a social worker but was later released on electronic monitoring despite prosecutors’ objections.
According to prosecutors, MaGee was simply “minding her own business and reading her phone” when Reed approached her from behind on a train, doused her in gasoline, and set her aflame as she attempted to flee. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Reed watching as she struggled to extinguish the flames.
The incident has reignited debate over public safety, mental health care, and the consequences of justice reforms across Illinois.
