Bethany MaGee, 26, is recovering after a terrifying incident on Chicago’s Blue Line on November 17, where she was allegedly set on fire by a repeat offender.
The attack left MaGee with severe burns to her left arm and hand, and doctors expect she will remain hospitalized for at least three months.
Her local church community has expressed deep concern and support for her recovery.
The Alleged Suspect and His Criminal History
The suspect, Lawrence Reed, 50, has a long record of criminal behavior, including 72 prior arrests.
Shockingly, he had been released months earlier by a Cook County judge despite allegedly attacking a social worker.
Reed now faces federal terrorism charges after security footage reportedly showed him filling a gasoline container shortly before the attack.
Conservative Commentators Question Media Coverage
Victor Joecks, a conservative writer for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, suggested that the story would have dominated headlines if the races of MaGee and Reed were reversed.
Joecks pointed out that major outlets such as The New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters, and the Associated Press have not reported on the attack.
He drew comparisons to George Floyd’s murder in 2020, which sparked global outrage and reignited the Black Lives Matter movement.
“This crime should be as well-known as George Floyd’s case,” Joecks argued, emphasizing that judges and prosecutors are failing to protect the public.
The Chilling Details of the Attack
According to a federal court affidavit, Reed allegedly approached MaGee on the train, screaming threats while attempting to set her on fire.
MaGee ran toward the front of the car as Reed allegedly ignited a gasoline-soaked container, engulfing her body in flames.
Witnesses rushed to help her as she collapsed at the station, and first responders arrived shortly after.
The brutality of the attack, Joecks notes, also involved MaGee being a “young attractive woman,” which he claims is the type of story that normally draws media attention—but didn’t in this case.
Public Reaction and Social Media Debate
On social media, some users echoed Joecks’ concerns, highlighting that a search of Reuters shows zero mentions of MaGee compared to more than a thousand mentions of George Floyd.
One post read: “Sadly, poor Bethany is not the only victim of a violent attack that the media doesn’t care about.”
Others disagreed, arguing that the timing of the incident makes direct comparisons to Floyd’s coverage unfair.
One Facebook commenter noted: “George Floyd’s death happened in 2020 and spurred protests.
How could they have similar coverage? This event may simply not have hit the mainstream yet.”
Parallels With Other Violent Incidents
Some observers drew comparisons to the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte, North Carolina, light rail train in August.
Zarutska was fatally stabbed by Decarlos Brown Jr., another career criminal with a long record who was also released from custody despite prior arrests.
Zarutska’s boyfriend, Stanislav Nikulytsia, publicly criticized the judicial system and drew a parallel between the attacks on MaGee and his girlfriend, emphasizing concerns about repeat offenders being allowed back onto the streets.
Judges, Prosecutors, and the Justice System
The case has also raised questions about judicial decisions in Chicago.
Critics like Joecks have argued that the real systemic problem lies with judges and prosecutors who release dangerous offenders instead of protecting the public.
He suggested that political dynamics between local and national leaders, including former President Trump and Mayor Brandon Johnson, may also influence media coverage.
Ongoing Recovery and Legal Proceedings
MaGee is currently in recovery and expected to remain hospitalized for several months.
Meanwhile, Reed faces federal charges, and investigators continue to review evidence, including surveillance footage, as the legal process unfolds.
The incident has reignited debate over media priorities, judicial accountability, and public safety, leaving many to question why some violent attacks gain national attention while others remain largely unreported.
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