By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
The son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has been arrested after authorities say he shot his mother multiple times inside the family’s Virginia home, leaving the NFL community stunned as training camp got underway.
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Sunday evening to a reported shooting at the Bieniemy residence in Ashburn, Virginia. Officers found Mia Bieniemy, 57, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where officials said she was in stable condition.
Authorities arrested Elijah Bieniemy, 27, the couple’s son, and charged him with 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 while the investigation continues.
Eric Bieniemy was attending the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, when the shooting occurred. He immediately left the team to be with his family and was absent from Monday’s practice.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed support for his longtime assistant, saying the organization is standing behind the Bieniemy family during the crisis.
“Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family,” Reid said. He also described Mia Bieniemy as “a saint” and said her stable condition was encouraging as the family begins the difficult recovery process.
The Chiefs announced that assistant coaches will assume Bieniemy’s responsibilities until he returns. The organization has not indicated when that might occur.
The shocking incident has drawn national attention, not only because of Bieniemy’s prominent NFL career but also because it highlights the devastating impact of domestic gun violence on families regardless of their public profile. Authorities have not released a possible motive, and investigators say the case remains active.