A Cleveland woman has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and several other offenses following the fatal stabbing of a 3-year-old boy outside a grocery store in North Olmsted, Ohio.
Bionca Ellis, 32, was indicted on Wednesday for her involvement in the tragic incident that left young Julian Wood dead and his mother injured.
Unprovoked North Olmsted Giant Eagle Attack
The stabbing occurred on Monday outside a Giant Eagle store, with North Olmsted police responding to multiple 911 calls reporting the violent attack.
According to authorities, Ellis, who had no prior connection to her victims, approached Julian and his mother in the parking lot. Julian was stabbed twice and later died in the hospital, while his mother sustained a stab wound to her shoulder.
North Olmsted police spokesperson Matt Beck confirmed the random nature of the attack. Beck stated that this random stabbing attack appears to be a senseless act of violence. He added that the victims do not know the suspect and appear to have had no prior interaction.
Ellis now faces charges including aggravated murder, child endangerment, tampering with evidence, aggravated theft, and two counts of felonious assault. She is currently held on a $1 million bond, and court records indicate she has not yet retained a defense attorney.
Surveillance Video and Eyewitness Testimonies
Surveillance footage obtained captured Ellis wandering around the shopping center with a knife shortly before the attack.
The video shows her striking the knife against a brick pillar before disappearing from view. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley revealed that Ellis stole two knives from a nearby thrift store before targeting Julian and his mother as they left the grocery store.
O'Malley described the horrific sequence of events, noting that Ellis immediately stabbed Julian, who was seated in a shopping cart. When his mother tried to protect him, Ellis attacked her as well. Police arrested Ellis at the scene without incident.
The prosecutor said that their thoughts and prayers in this heart-wrenching moment are with the Wood family during this incredibly difficult time. He added that, as a father, he cannot fathom the pain and the loss of a child. However, he added that the office is committed to seeking justice for the 3-year-old boy, Julian, and his family.
Background of the Suspect and Community Response
Court records indicates that Ellis was facing eviction from her subsidized apartment in Cleveland at the time of the attack. She had been ordered to vacate the premises in May after missing several rent payments. This was not her first eviction; she had previously been removed from another residence in 2018.
In response to the tragedy, Julian's family and friends have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and support the grieving family.
The fundraising page describes how devastating the family feels and how something like this in the community can happen. The local community is grappling with the shock and sorrow brought on by the senseless attack.
The GoFundMe page underscores the deep emotional toll on those who knew Julian and his family. "Our family is shattered beyond words... We've lost something irreplaceable."
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