A judge granted a competency evaluation Thursday for 27-year-old Elijah Bieniemy, the son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. The younger Bieniemy is accused of shooting his mother in the family’s Northern Virginia townhome late Sunday night.
Motions filed by Elijah Bieniemy’s public defender say he suffers from “significant mental health issues.”
Bieniemy was not in court Thursday, but his public defender appeared on his behalf. Bieniemy’s attorney filed two motions: a request for a mental health evaluation and a motion for a competency evaluation.
In court, Bieniemy’s attorney withdrew the mental health evaluation and the judge granted the competency evaluation. That evaluation is due Sept. 9.
Elijah Bieniemy’s mother, , 57-year-old Mia Bieniemy, was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries after she was shot in the family’s townhouse in the One Loudoun area of Ashburn, Virginia. She was shot twice in the upper body and underwent surgery, and a portion of a projectile remained lodged in her body, according to a criminal complaint.
Authorities have not released details on what they believe may have led to the shooting.
According to online property records, Eric and Mia Bieniemy own the home where the shooting occurred. Their son Elijah also lives in the home, according to the criminal complaint.
Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and wife Mia on the Red Carpet before the Super Bowl Championship Ring Ceremony on June 15, 2023 at Union Station in Kansas City, MO.
Elijah Bieniemy is being held without bond and is charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling.
His father, Eric Bieniemy, spent the 2023 season with the Washington Commanders as the team’s offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. He had previously served as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018 to 2022 and rejoined the team this year.
Mia Bieniemy is improving steadily, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters Wednesday at the team’s training camp in Missouri, NBC News reported.
“She’s doing great. She’s doing better and great from where she was, out of the ICU unit and making progress,” Reid said.
““So, we’re happy about that. EB [Eric Bieniemy] is still with her and that part’s important that that stays in place,” Reid said.
