Family Shares Update On Woman Set Of Fire By Career Criminal In Chicago

Bethany MaGee is still receiving treatment at the hospital for severe burns after a man with more than 70 arrests doused her in gasoline and set her ablaze in an unprovoked attack on a Chicago train, the 26-year-old’s family shared on Tuesday.

The family has created a GoFundMe account to help support MaGee, confirming the young woman’s identity, but also asking for privacy during MaGee’s long road to recovery.

“On November 17, Bethany MaGee was riding a CTA train in Chicago when she was attacked,” the family wrote. “She is currently hospitalized with the severe burns she sustained, and she is receiving treatment under the excellent care of her medical team.”

The family described MaGee as an animal lover, kind, and sensitive.

“In response to the countless requests for a way to help, our family is setting up this GoFundMe on Bethany’s behalf,” the MaGees said. “Many of her immediate medical expenses are covered by insurance and a victims fund, but with such a long road ahead of her, the freedom from financial worries would be a tremendous blessing. No gifts are expected, but any that are given will go directly to Bethany.”

The GoFundMe has so far garnered more than $30,000 in donations.

Lawrence Reed, 50, has been charged with a federal terrorism offense in connection to the attack and is facing life in prison, The Daily Wire reported this week.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect dousing MaGee in gasoline and chasing her on the train car before setting her ablaze. Reed, who’s been arrested 72 times, allegedly shouted “burn alive, b****” and “burn, b****” during the attack.

Right now, DailyWire+ annual memberships are fifty percent off during our Black Friday sale. Join now at dailywire.com/blackfriday.

Reed’s criminal history includes eight felony and seven misdemeanor convictions, according to the Associated Press. Reed’s arrests concern arson, assault and battery, and other offenses.

At the time of his most recent attack, Reed was ordered to wear electronic monitoring due an aggravated battery charge in which he was accused of hitting a social worker. Cook County prosecutors wanted to keep Reed behind bars until his trial, but the judge released him.

MaGee’s family asked for privacy at this time, writing, “This will be her story to tell—or not to tell—in the future.”

“What we can say is this: Bethany is a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, granddaughter, and aunt,” the family continued. “She is a good 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. She enjoys playing tabletop and video games with her community, and she is quick to include others in conversations and make them feel welcome. She is kind.”

“In this season of Thanksgiving, we are so grateful for the chance to celebrate at Bethany’s side,” the MaGees closed. “Thank you for keeping her and our family in your prayers.”

Related: Woman Set On Fire By Convict With 72 Priors On Chicago Train

‘Soak The Swamp’: ShamWow Guy Inspired By Charlie Kirk To Wipe Away Woke Ideology

The ShamWow guy wants to clean up his biggest mess yet: the woke Left. Offer Vince Shlomi, who is best known as the ShamWow infomercial host, filed Friday to run for Congress in Texas as a Republican. “ShamWow” is even listed as part of Shlomi’s official name in the filing records.

“I’m the ShamWow guy,” Shlomi told The Daily Wire. “You want a boring politician or an exciting one?”

Shlomi said he was inspired to run after Charlie Kirk was killed.

“I feel called to stand on my beliefs and make real change in this world in his honor,” Shlomi said. “Charlie Kirk stood for what he believed in and entered himself into the fight, but more powerfully, he encouraged others to do the same.”

Shlomi admired the way Kirk stood up against “wokeism.”

“I see kids who are happy, and as they get older, they’re unhappy because they’re being subjected to wokeism.”

Shlomi thinks social media algorithms play a big role in that wokeism, something he vows to change if elected.

“Google, YouTube, and all social media companies need their codes to be open source,” Shlomi said. “The algorithms need to be fair and transparent, not biased. Google and YouTube suppress conservative views on [their] platforms and discriminate [against] anything that ridicules their woke ideology.”

Right now, DailyWire+ annual memberships are fifty percent off during our Black Friday sale. Join now at dailywire.com/blackfriday.

The 61-year-old is running against incumbent John Carter, as well as five other candidates looking to represent Texas’ 31st District, which covers parts of Austin, Temple, and Fort Hood.

Shlomi’s campaign slogan is “Soak the Swamp.” An ode to ShamWow, the super-absorbent cleaning cloth that Shlomi made a name selling. The ShamWow commercials played throughout the early 2000s.

“I mean, I took a rag and made millions.”

The entrepreneur said his “rags to riches” experience with ShamWow makes him a natural fit for Congress.

“I am a great salesman, they say I’m the GOAT at pitching. I should be a Congressman, pitching bills that improve the Texas 31st constituents’ lives. I’m not a polished politician, but I wasn’t polished when I was the pitchman either — and that’s why you loved me.”

His reputation needed a ShamWow cleanup after an incident with an alleged hooker in Miami back in 2009.

Shlomi was arrested for aggravated battery after getting into a fight with a woman at a Miami hotel. Per an NBC News report, Shlomi struck the woman with his fists after she bit his tongue and wouldn’t let go. Prosecutors didn’t press charges.

“I was defending myself, and the public needs to know that,” Shlomi said. “It turned into a comedic story and sparked tons of rumors. I own up to the fact that I shouldn’t have put myself there.”

ShamWow Shlomi has a year to wipe out his competition for Congress. Election Day is in November 2026.

About Us

Virtus (virtue, valor, excellence, courage, character, and worth)

Vincit (conquers, triumphs, and wins)