Woman set afire in CTA Blue Line attack released from hospital, 'My family and I are grateful'

A woman who survived a horrific CTA Blue Line attack in November has been discharged from Stroger Hospital. The brutal assault saw Bethany MaGee doused in gasoline and set ablaze on the L train, leaving her family shaken but grateful for the medical team's efforts.

In a statement released Friday, MaGee expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who have supported her family during this challenging time. "I am especially thankful to the exceptional burn team at Stroger Hospital for their compassion and expertise," she said, acknowledging the care shown to her and her loved ones.

MaGee's ordeal took a dark turn as Lawrence Reed, accused of orchestrating the attack, was described by prosecutors as committing an act of terrorism. The assault lasted for nearly a full minute, leaving MaGee with severe burns. If convicted, Reed faces a life sentence, and court records reveal a history of mental health issues, including schizophrenia and depression.

Reed's lawyers have highlighted his struggles with mental illness, stating that he has been under treatment for 26 years. A 2024 report in another case noted that Reed takes medication to manage suicidal ideation. With Reed facing terrorism charges, the full extent of the attack remains a source of outrage and concern for MaGee and her family.
 
You know how some ppl can be so messed up? Like this dude Lawrence Reed, he's been dealing with mental health issues for 26 years but still manages to plan something like that? It's just heartbreaking for Bethany and her fam 🤕💔. I feel bad for them having to go through all that trauma. And the fact that it took so long for him to get help is just mind-blowing. The burn team at Stroger Hospital did an amazing job saving her life, though 🙏🏼❤️. Can't imagine what she's going through right now, but I hope she gets the support and care she needs 🤞
 
😊 I'm so relieved to hear that Bethany is finally out of the hospital! 🙏 The medical team must've been absolutely amazing to help her through such a traumatic experience 😩. It's heartbreaking that she went through that, but it's clear that her strong support system and the hospital's care helped get her through it 💕. I can only imagine how tough it must be for her family, though... they're really lucky to have people like Bethany who are so grateful for their help 🙏. The fact that Lawrence Reed is being held accountable for what he did is a big step forward, but let's not forget that mental health issues can be super complicated and hard to manage 💡. Hope Bethany gets all the support she needs as she moves forward from this...
 
I think we're being way too soft on people like Lawrence Reed. I know he has mental health issues, but that's no excuse for committing such a horrific act. He's been under treatment for 26 years, but it clearly didn't stop him from planning something like this 🤔. We need to focus on the fact that he broke the law and put an innocent person in harm's way, not just his mental health struggles. And let's be real, if he was so unstable, how did he manage to orchestrate such a complex attack? It's time we stopped making excuses and start holding people accountable for their actions 🚫.
 
Ugh, it's just so sickening 🤕 thinkin' about Bethany goin' through all that 😩. I mean, you hear about these things happenin', but to actually see someone you care about go through it... it's just not right 😢. Stroger Hospital did a great job with the burn team, though - they're heroes in my book 💕. It's crazy how much history Lawrence Reed has with mental health issues, and I guess that's somethin' to consider when lookin' at his side of things 🤔. Anyways, glad Bethany is on the road to recoverin', but still gives me chills thinkin' about what she went through 😳.
 
omg what's up with this dude lawrence reed tho? 26 years of treatment for mental health issues and he still tries to commit acts of terrorism on random strangers 🤯 like, can't these meds work? 😩 and the fact that he douses someone in gas and sets them on fire is straight up horrific... no joke. i'm so glad maGee made it out alive though, her family's heart must be literally shattered. all this hate and violence is just getting old 🙄
 
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