Elijah Zion Bieniemy, the son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, contacted police two days prior to his arrest for allegedly shooting his mother, stating his parents were keeping his firearms from him. The 27-year-old called from the Bieniemy residence on July 24, reporting that his parents were withholding his weapons and that he felt unable to defend himself as a UFC fighter. He also expressed concern about his CPR license and the inability to assist someone in an emergency.
According to a Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office report cited by The Athletic, the caller stated his parents told him he had to give up his firearms to remain in the home and would only get them back when needed. He reportedly added that his parents refused to return the weapons when he wished to practice at a shooting range.
Police had received three calls involving Elijah Bieniemy in the two months preceding the alleged shooting of Mia Bieniemy on July 26. These calls were classified as Stage 3, indicating an urgent but non-life-threatening situation. One call on June 1, from a counselor at a remote college, expressed concern for the welfare of an individual at the home who appeared to be Elijah. Police determined this call did not require an urgent response due to the lack of access to weapons.
Approximately three weeks later, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office filed a heavily redacted incident report concerning a “suspicious circumstance” involving two individuals matching Elijah and Mia Bieniemy's descriptions at their Virginia address. A spokesperson for the sheriff's office stated they reviewed the referenced incidents as part of their investigation.
Elijah Bieniemy is accused of shooting his mother, Mia Bieniemy, on July 26, resulting in serious injuries. Dispatch audio from the incident described a 57-year-old woman shot in the chest and arm, experiencing difficulty breathing, with a projectile fragment remaining in her body. The dispatcher also warned responding units that the son was believed to still possess a weapon within the home. Mia Bieniemy reportedly called 911 herself, and Elijah was arrested outside the residence.
He faces charges including malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling. A judge approved a mental evaluation for Elijah upon request from his public defender, who stated in filings that the client appears to suffer from significant mental health issues and may not be able to assist in his own defense. Mia Bieniemy has since been transferred out of the ICU and is reportedly recovering well. The alleged shooting occurred while Eric Bieniemy was attending training camp in Missouri, and he is currently not with the team.