Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's son, Elijah Bieniemy, 27, has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting of his mother, Mia Bieniemy. The incident occurred Sunday evening at the family's home in Ashburn, Virginia.
Police responded to reports of a shooting and found Mia Bieniemy with serious injuries. She was transported to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition. Investigators have identified Elijah Bieniemy as the primary suspect. He faces charges of malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling. He is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
Neighbors reported hearing two gunshots followed by a woman screaming. Video obtained by Fox 5 DC shows Elijah Bieniemy in handcuffs being processed by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.
At the time of the incident, Eric Bieniemy was in Missouri with the Chiefs as the team's training camp began at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. Head Coach Andy Reid confirmed Monday that Bieniemy had left to be with his wife and stated that Mia Bieniemy is stable. Reid noted there is no timeline for Bieniemy's return to the team, with Joe Bleymaier stepping in as offensive coordinator.
Bieniemy, 56, recently returned to the Chiefs for a second stint as offensive coordinator after previously holding roles with the team from 2013 to 2022. His coaching career since leaving the Chiefs has included positions with the Washington Commanders as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, followed by a role at UCLA and most recently as running backs coach for the Chicago Bears. His return to Kansas City was welcomed by players, including tight end Travis Kelce, who has praised Bieniemy's coaching.
Eric and Mia Bieniemy have two sons. Their eldest son, Eric III, has cerebral palsy and respiratory issues, a condition that led the Chiefs coach to isolate from his family during the 2021 NFL season to protect him from COVID-19.
Before his coaching career, Eric Bieniemy was a college football standout, helping Colorado win the 1990 national championship, and played nine seasons in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs are scheduled to open their NFL season on September 13 against the Denver Broncos.