Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy’s son arrested in connection with shooting of woman reported to be his mother
Elijah Zion Bieniemy, the 27-year-old son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, was arrested in Virginia on Monday in connection with the shooting of a woman identified by multiple media outlets as his mother, Mia Bieniemy. Authorities stated that deputies responded to a shooting on Sunday evening.
Mia Bieniemy sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a hospital. She is reported to be in stable condition despite her serious injuries. Public records indicate that Eric, Mia, and Elijah Bieniemy reside at a house on the block where the incident allegedly took place.
Arrest and Charges
Elijah Zion Bieniemy faces charges including malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. He is currently being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and charges, stating that the investigation is ongoing.
Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 7:32 p.m. on Sunday. The incident occurred in Ashburn, Virginia, where the couple reportedly maintained a home from Eric Bieniemy’s previous tenure with the Washington Commanders. Authorities do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.
Team Response and Bieniemy’s Absence
Eric Bieniemy was with the Chiefs at training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Sunday. However, he was not present for Monday’s practice, which involved rookies, quarterbacks, and a few veterans and was closed to the public. Chiefs coach Andy Reid addressed the situation, expressing support for Bieniemy and his family.
Reid stated, “Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family. Thoughts and prayers with them.” He also noted that Mia Bieniemy is stable, which he considered a positive development. Reid did not specify how long Bieniemy would be away from the team, emphasizing the importance of attending to personal matters.
During Bieniemy’s absence, pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier and offensive line coach Andy Heck will assume his duties as the Chiefs continue with offensive installations during training camp. The team is scheduled to be off on Tuesday, with the first full-squad workout at Missouri Western State University set for Wednesday.
The Chiefs organization released a statement acknowledging the incident. A spokesperson for the team, Brad Gee, said, “The club is aware of the incident involving Eric Bieniemy’s family. Out of respect for their privacy, we won’t have a comment at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Eric Bieniemy’s Coaching Career
Eric Bieniemy, 56, is in his second stint as the Chiefs offensive coordinator. He previously served in the role from 2018 to 2022, during which the team reached three Super Bowls and won two. He was part of Coach Reid’s initial staff in Kansas City in 2013, spending five seasons as the running backs coach before his promotion.
After his initial tenure with the Chiefs, Bieniemy interviewed for several head-coaching positions. He then spent a season as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders in 2023 and another season as the offensive coordinator at UCLA in 2024. He also served as the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears in 2025 before returning to the Chiefs this season to replace Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator. Bieniemy was present for offseason workouts in Kansas City over the summer and joined the team for training camp last week.
Andy Reid commented on Bieniemy’s return last week, noting his energy and leadership qualities. The Chiefs coach described Bieniemy as one of the most phenomenal leaders he has encountered, emphasizing his dedication and work ethic.
Source: latimes.com
