Riley Gaines publicly demanded the arrest of the judges who released Lawrence Reed, the man accused of setting Bethany MaGee on fire, despite having 72 prior arrests. On November 24, Gaines shared a post by Libs of TikTok with the caption:“Arrest the judges who released this monster. This was preventable.”The post shared by Gaines also highlighted the details surrounding Bethany MaGee’s attack.MaGee, a resident of Upland, Indiana, was riding Chicago’s Blue Line subway when she was suddenly doused in gasoline and set on fire. She was rushed to the hospital with severe burns all over her body. The attacker was identified as 50-year-old Lawrence Reed. Authorities confirmed that he is a serial offender and had been arrested 72 times before the attack. Reed had only been released months earlier after allegedly assaulting a social worker.What else do we know about the attack on Bethany MaGee by Lawrence Reed?Bethany MaGee was set on fire aboard a Chicago El train (Image via Getty Images)Several details have emerged about the attack on Bethany MaGee, who was deliberately set on fire by Lawrence Reed. This attack took place aboard the Chicago El train on November 17, around 9 pm local time.According to the criminal complaint, Bethany MaGee was sitting with her back to the attacker when he approached her without warning. Investigators said Reed then poured flammable liquid over MaGee’s head and body.As per the BBC, Bethany MaGee attempted to escape, but Reed allegedly chased her, ignited the liquid in the bottle, and used it to set her on fire. The flames engulfed her entire body as she fled the train, and later collapsed on the platform. There, the bystanders rushed to help her. She was then transported to the hospital in critical condition.Reed was arrested the next day and charged with setting Bethany MaGee on fire, an attack that left her with burns over more than half her body, according to CBS Chicago.As per a New York Post report, surveillance footage later showed Reed purchasing gasoline at a Chicago gas station roughly 20 minutes before the attack. He was seen filling a plastic beverage bottle with fuel.Authorities also revealed a long pattern of criminal behavior in Reed’s background.Lawrence Reed has had 22 prior arrests since 2016 and 53 criminal cases in Cook County dating back to 1993. Reed has served only about 2.5 years in jail in total, CWB Chicago reported.Multiple media outlets also confirmed that Lawrence Reed was under court-ordered electronic monitoring at the time of the attack.He had been released with an ankle monitor in August after violently assaulting a social worker at the psychiatric hospital where he had been committed. A detention petition noted that the woman, whom he had attacked, suffered “likely optic nerve damage and a concussion” that left her struggling with memory issues, headaches, and daily nausea.Officials expressed outrage over how Lawrence Reed remained free despite his violent history.U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that the system had failed in allowing a man with such an extensive criminal background to remain on the streets.“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…This would never have happened if this thug had been behind bars,” Duffy said on X on November 23.Secretary Sean Duffy @SecDuffyLINKIt 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. This would never have happened if this thug had been behind bars.Duffy added, as per the New York Post:“Chicago’s carelessness is putting the American people at risk. No one should ever have to fear for their life on the subway." ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Christopher Amon echoed this view, saying Reed had “no business being on the streets” given both his violent criminal history and his pending cases, as per the publication.At a hearing on Friday, November 21, prosecutors urged the court to detain Reed, saying he remained a significant and ongoing threat. According to the prosecutors, Reed presented “a clear danger and persistent threat of terror to the community.”Lawrence Reed has since been held without bail. He now faces multiple charges, including terrorism.As of November 25, 2025, Bethany MaGee remains hospitalized with severe burns, and further information on her condition is awaited.