By Julia Bingel, Avery Williams and Kelly Kennedy
Published: Jun. 4, 2024 at 5:02 AM EDT|Updated: Jun. 4, 2024 at 1:12 PM EDT
6/5/2024 UPDATE: Suspect in Giant Eagle stabbing indicted on aggravated murder, murder charges
6/6/2024 UPDATE: Funeral arrangements set for 3-year-old boy murdered at North Olmsted Giant Eagle
NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WOIO) - The 3-year-old boy who was stabbed at the Giant Eagle Monday afternoon has died from his injuries, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner. He was identified as Julian Wood.
The stabbing happened just after 3 p.m. in the grocery store parking lot on Lorain Road in North Olmsted.
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The child’s mother, Margot Wood, 38, of North Olmsted, was also stabbed.
When North Olmsted police arrived on scene, several officers immediately gave first aid to both victims.
EMS transported Julian and his mother to St. John Medical Center, where Julian died from his injuries.
Margot was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and police said she is expected to physically recover.
Captain Eric Morgan said other officers located the suspect walking towards Dover Center Road, still carrying the kitchen knife used in the attack.
North Olmsted police said Bionca Ellis, 32, of Cleveland, was taken into custody without resistance and transported to the North Olmsted Jail.
Ellis is charged with aggravated murder and had her initial appearance via video in Rocky River Municipal Court Tuesday afternoon.
Her attorney demanded a preliminary hearing, which the judge scheduled for Monday at 10:30 a.m.
Ellis’s bond was set at $1 million. Additional charges will be added once the case is presented to the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury, said police.
Det. Sgt. Matthew Beck said the motive of this attack remains under investigation. “This was entirely a random act of violence,” he said Tuesday in a press conference.
Det. Sgt. Beck said before the attack, Ellis obtained a kitchen knife from the Volunteers of America Thrift Store.
Then, she walked to the Giant Eagle and spotted Margot and Julian Wood inside the store before following them outside.
Ellis and the victims had no prior interactions, said Det. Sgt. Beck. There was no altercation inside the store.
According to Det. Sgt. Beck, Ellis was arrested May 30 after officers investigating an incident at Walmart discovered she was wanted for a probation violation.
She was held and released.
Then Monday before the stabbing, Ellis visited the North Olmsted Police Department to discuss her arrest, police said.
According to court records, she was charged in 2023 with stealing from the Walmart in North Olmsted and convicted of reduced charge of unauthorized use of property.
Police added Ellis has no “known violent criminal history.”
North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones, Police Chief Bob Wagner and Det. Sgt. Beck offered condolences to the Wood family.
The funeral for Julien is scheduled for Saturday. The family is asking for donations in lieu of flowers.
Statement from North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones:
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.
Statement from Giant Eagle:
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.
This is the same Giant Eagle where a murder-suicide took place in June 2023.
The family said 3-year-old Julian loved dinosaurs and school. Julian leaves behind his parents, an older brother, and his new baby sister.
The Wood family is asking the community for donations to help cover funeral costs and to cover the time the family will need to take off work. They’re also asking for prayers during this difficult time.
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