Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was taken into custody early Monday following a shooting incident in Ashburn, Virginia, that left his mother, 57-year-old Mia Bieniemy, hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the residence—a property the family maintained from Eric Bieniemy’s tenure with the Washington Commanders—late Sunday evening. Mia Bieniemy remains in stable condition following medical treatment.
Elijah Zion Bieniemy faces multiple charges, including malicious wounding, the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm within a dwelling. He is currently being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center as local authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the situation following Monday’s practice, which Eric Bieniemy did not attend. Expressing support for his assistant, Reid stated, “Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family. Thoughts and prayers with them.” He noted that while he could not provide specific details, the team is focused on providing support as the family navigates this difficult time. Reid described Mia Bieniemy as “a saint” and “one of God’s great blessings,” emphasizing that the priority is allowing Eric Bieniemy the necessary time to address his family’s needs.
The team has not established a specific timeline for Bieniemy’s return to the coaching staff. In his absence, pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier and offensive line coach Andy Heck are managing his responsibilities as the Chiefs proceed with their training camp offensive installations. Reid remarked that the situation involves real life, adding, “The most important thing is EB has an opportunity to spend some time there and take care of that business.”
Eric Bieniemy, a long-time associate of Reid, originally joined the Kansas City staff in 2013. After five seasons as the running backs coach, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s success, including two Super Bowl victories. Seeking to further his career, he spent the 2023 season with the Washington Commanders before stints at UCLA and with the Chicago Bears. He returned to the Chiefs this season to reclaim the offensive coordinator position, replacing Matt Nagy.
Reflecting on Bieniemy’s return to the organization last week, Reid praised his leadership, stating, “He always brings great energy. I’ve told you, he’s one of the more phenomenal guys I have been around at being a leader of men.” Reid highlighted Bieniemy’s work ethic, noting that he is deeply involved in the team’s current preparations.
The Chiefs are scheduled for a day off on Tuesday, with full-squad workouts set to resume Wednesday at Missouri Western State University. The organization continues to balance its training camp schedule while supporting their coach during this ongoing personal crisis. 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 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 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. The report also notes that and I appreciate that, he’s in there cranking — works his tail off. The report also notes that this story has been updated with additional reporting/information.
