Chilling details have emerged regarding the incident involving Elijah Bieniemy, son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who allegedly shot his mother, Mia Bieniemy, at their Virginia home on July 26.
According to The Athletic, two days prior to the shooting, Elijah Bieniemy contacted the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office to report that his parents were withholding his firearms. The 27-year-old, who is being held without bond, stated that as a certified UFC fighter, he felt unable to defend himself without his weapons. An incident report noted that Bieniemy also expressed concern about his inability to help others, referencing his CPR license, and explained that his parents had insisted he surrender his firearms if he wished to continue living at home.
The July 24 call was one of at least three police contacts concerning the Bieniemy residence in the two months leading up to the alleged shooting. On June 1, deputies responded to a welfare check requested by a counselor at a college where Elijah was enrolled. Officers determined no weapons were accessible at the time and classified the situation as non-urgent. Three weeks later, on June 22, the sheriff's office filed another redacted incident report regarding a suspicious circumstance involving two individuals matching the descriptions of Elijah and Mia.
These calls were classified as Stage 3, indicating an urgent but non-life-threatening situation.
Following the alleged shooting on July 26, Mia Bieniemy called 911 herself. Dispatchers alerted responding deputies that the firearm was still within the home. Elijah Bieniemy was apprehended outside the residence and subsequently charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling. Mia Bieniemy was hospitalized with serious injuries to her chest and arm.
A judge approved a motion for a mental health evaluation for Elijah last week, after his public defender stated in court documents that his client appears to suffer from significant mental health issues and is unable to assist in his defense. Another court hearing previously scheduled for August 31 will be rescheduled.
Eric Bieniemy recently returned to the Chiefs after three seasons away. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid provided an update on Mia Bieniemy's recovery, stating she has been moved out of the ICU and is continuing to progress. Reid expressed the team's support for Eric Bieniemy, emphasizing the importance of him attending to his family matters.
