Elijah Zion Bieniemy, the 27-year-old son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, has been taken into custody following a shooting incident involving his mother, Mia Bieniemy. Authorities in Virginia confirmed the arrest on Monday, noting that the 57-year-old victim was found with multiple gunshot wounds at the family’s residence in Ashburn, a property maintained from the coach’s tenure with the Washington Commanders.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies arrived at the scene late Sunday. Mia Bieniemy was transported to a medical facility, where she remained in stable condition as of Monday. Her son, Elijah, now faces formal charges including malicious wounding, the discharge of a firearm within a dwelling, and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He is currently being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center as the investigation continues.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the situation following Monday’s practice, which Eric Bieniemy did not attend. Reid expressed support for his colleague, stating, “Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family. Thoughts and prayers with them.” He described Mia Bieniemy as a “saint” and one of “God’s great blessings,” emphasizing that the team is allowing the family time to navigate the crisis. Reid confirmed that offensive line coach Andy Heck and pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier will manage Bieniemy’s responsibilities while he is away.
Reflecting on the necessity of the coach’s absence, Reid noted that real-life circumstances take precedence over football operations. “We’ll be able to keep it moving here, but the most important thing is EB has an opportunity to spend some time there and take care of that business,” Reid said. He did not provide a specific timeline for when the coordinator might return to the team.
Eric Bieniemy’s history with the Chiefs is extensive, beginning in 2013 when he joined Reid’s initial staff. After serving five seasons as running backs coach, he was elevated to offensive coordinator, playing a pivotal role in the team’s success, including two Super Bowl victories. Seeking to further his career, he departed for the Washington Commanders in 2023, followed by a stint at UCLA and a season as a running backs coach with the Chicago Bears.
Bieniemy returned to Kansas City this season to reclaim the offensive coordinator position, replacing Matt Nagy. He had been actively participating in summer workouts and was present when the team reported for training camp last week. Prior to the incident, Reid had spoken highly of his return, calling him a “phenomenal” leader who brings immense energy to the organization.
The Chiefs are scheduled for an off day on Tuesday before beginning full-squad workouts at Missouri Western State University on Wednesday. The organization continues to support the Bieniemy family as the legal process unfolds in Virginia. The report also notes that the 27-year-old son of the couple, was arrested early Monday in connection with the shooting, elijah Zion Bieniemy. The report also notes that so Bieniemy went to the Commanders in 2023 in hopes of burnishing his resume, he interviewed for several head-coaching jobs but was continually skipped over. The report also notes that he’s one of the more phenomenal guys I have been around at being a leader of men, i’ve told you. The report also notes that quarterbacks and a few veterans, which was closed to the public, he was not present for Monday’s workout involving rookies. The report also notes that “I can’t get into details on it, but things happen sometimes, and Eric will work through it. The report also notes that “She’s a saint, we all know that, those of you that know her. The report also notes that time will have to be involved in this to help heal.”. The report also notes that the demanding but popular Bieniemy helped the Chiefs reach three Super Bowls and win two of them while helping to direct one of the NFL’s best offenses, over the next five seasons.
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