DOWNTOWN — A GoFundMe has been launched by the family of a woman set on fire on the Blue Line earlier this month.
The fundraiser launched by the family of Bethany MaGee will go toward her medical bills and recovery, as she was still hospitalized as of Tuesday and is being treated for severe burns she sustained in the shocking attack.
The online fundraiser was created in response to the public looking for ways to help Magee, her family said on the GoFundMe page. As of Wednesday morning, the page had raised over $216,000 of its $330,000 goal.
MaGee’s family described the 26-year-old woman as a “beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, granddaughter, niece, aunt and friend.”
“She is sensitive, caring, intelligent, and imaginative. She loves living in Chicago, and her gentle spirit makes her a favorite with every pet she meets,” the fundraiser page reads. “She enjoys playing tabletop and video games with her community, and she is quick to include others in conversations and make them feel welcome.”
MaGee was attacked by Lawrence Reed on Nov. 17 while traveling on the Blue Line. Security footage showed Reed approaching MaGee on the train, pouring liquid on her body and later setting her on fire, according to a criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Reed fled the train after it stopped, and MaGee got off the train and fell to the ground, according to police. The fire was extinguished before police arrived.
Reed, who was out on pretrial release at the time of the attack, has been charged with committing a terrorist attack against a mass transportation system and is being held in custody as the trial continues. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
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