NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio — A 3-year-old boy is dead and his mother was hospitalized after a stabbing at the North Olmsted Giant Eagle on Monday afternoon.
According to a release from police, officers were called to the Lorain Road store at approximately 3 p.m. after "multiple 911 calls" about a possible stabbing in the parking lot by a Black female dressed in all black.
Police officials say when officers arrived at the scene, they saw the suspect, 32-year-old Bionca Ellis of Cleveland, walking toward Dover Center Road carrying a kitchen knife that was allegedly used in the attack. She was taken into custody "without resistance."
The two stabbing victims, 38-year-old Margot Wood and her son, Julian, were given first aid by police at the scene, then transported to UH St. John Medical Center. Police say Julian Wood died as a result of receiving stab wounds to the face and back, while Margot Wood received non-life-threatening injuries.
Friends have launched a GoFundMe to help the Wood family.
Monday's stabbing occurred nearly one year after a murder-suicide took place at the North Olmsted Giant Eagle on June 25, 2023.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SUSPECT
"The investigation into the motive of this attack is still ongoing, but everything learned thus far points that this was a random act of violence," reports North Olmsted Police Det. Sgt. Matt Beck. "Ellis and the victims had no prior interactions before this incident. Ellis is known to the North Olmsted Police Department for a prior offense of theft but has no known violent criminal history."
During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Beck explained that Ellis apparently obtained "a butcher knife or some kind of kitchen knife" at the Volunteers of America thrift store next to Giant Eagle. He added that cameras show Ellis walking out of the thrift store and into Giant Eagle, where "she spotted Wood and her son and proceeded to follow them out to the parking lot. Somewhere near their vehicle, Ellis attacked them."
Beck adds that Ellis is being held in the North Olmsted Jail on a charge of aggravated murder. She made an initial appearance in Rocky River Municipal Court on Tuesday and had bond set at $1 million. A preliminary hearing is set for June 10, although additional charges are expected to be added once the the case is presented to a grand jury in Cuyahoga County.
FULL STATEMENT FROM NORTH OLMSTED MAYOR NICOLE DAILEY JONES
“First and foremost, I want to express my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of the three-year-old boy who unfortunately passed away yesterday after being stabbed in a random attack at the North Olmsted Giant Eagle supermarket.
"This was a terrible tragedy for our entire community. As North Olmsted Mayor, and a mother myself, I cannot fathom what this family must be going through. To lose their youngest child in such a violent and senseless manner is absolutely heartbreaking. I know that all the residents of North Olmsted join me in sharing their profound grief. We are all terribly sorry for their loss and I ask everyone to keep them in thought and prayer.
"Our police department continues its on-going investigation of the crime as we attempt to begin healing and moving forward. I commend all our safety forces for their compassion and swift response in the wake of this situation.
"The City will be offering grief counseling to all our employees who are in need of those services. The safety of all our residents continues to be a top priority of my administration.”
STATEMENT FROM GIANT EAGLE TO 3NEWS
“We were heartbroken to learn of the passing of the young victim in yesterday's senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with the child, his mother and their loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time.
"We thank the North Olmsted Mayor's Office and the community's first responders for their unwavering commitment. We are providing counseling services to our store teams and are ready to support our North Olmsted neighbors however we can.”
Officials in North Olmsted held a news conference on Tuesday with the latest information on the stabbing. You can watch in the player below.