The son of Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Eric Bieniemy faces serious charges following a tragic family incident. Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested after his mother, Mia Bieniemy, was found with multiple gunshot wounds in their Ashburn, Virginia, residence. She remains in stable condition at a hospital.
The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting late Sunday. Elijah Bieniemy faces charges of malicious wounding, using a firearm in a felony, and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling. He is currently held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. An investigation is ongoing.
Eric Bieniemy was at the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Sunday. He missed Monday’s closed practice session. The Chiefs acknowledged the incident, respecting the family’s privacy while sending their thoughts and prayers.
Eric Bieniemy joined the Chiefs in 2013 under head coach Andy Reid. As the offensive coordinator, he played a crucial role in achieving multiple Super Bowl appearances and victories. Despite interviewing for head coaching positions, he was often overlooked, prompting him to join the Washington Commanders in 2023 to strengthen his credentials. After a brief stint with the Commanders and then returning to college football with UCLA, he returned to the Chiefs to replace Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid praised Bieniemy’s leadership qualities during offseason workouts. The Chiefs are currently preparing for their full-squad workout scheduled for Wednesday at Missouri Western State University.