Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy left the team’s training camp Monday after his wife, Mia Bieniemy, was shot at the couple’s home in Ashburn, Virginia, the night before. Their son, 27-year-old Elijah Zion Bieniemy, has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting.
What Happened
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a shooting call at a home on the 20000 block of Northpark Drive in Ashburn — in the One Loudoun area of Northern Virginia — at approximately 7:32 p.m. ET on Sunday. Deputies found an adult woman with multiple gunshot wounds and transported her to a hospital for treatment.
While the sheriff’s office has not publicly named the victim, ESPN and several other outlets identified her as Mia Bieniemy, 57. She was reportedly shot twice in the upper body, in the chest and arm, and underwent surgery. According to a criminal complaint, a portion of a projectile remains lodged in her body. As of Monday, she was listed in stable condition.
Elijah Zion Bieniemy — Eric and Mia’s son, who reportedly also lived at the home — was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. He is being held without bond at a detention center in Loudoun County. Authorities have not released details on what led up to the shooting. Property records show Eric and Mia Bieniemy own the home.
A neighbor described the Bieniemys to local reporters as a “good Christian family” who appeared to get along well, and said he’d seen Eric and Mia doing yard work together just the weekend before the shooting.
Bieniemy Steps Away From Training Camp
Eric Bieniemy was with the Chiefs in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Sunday for the team’s second training camp practice at Missouri Western State University when the shooting occurred at his Virginia home. He did not attend Monday’s practice and left camp following the incident. Head coach Andy Reid said there is currently no timetable for his return, and that pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier will take over Bieniemy’s responsibilities in his absence.
Speaking to reporters after Monday’s practice, Reid offered support for his coordinator while declining to discuss specifics. He said the team’s thoughts were with Bieniemy and his family, and noted that Mia being listed in stable condition was a positive sign. Reid added that Bieniemy has a strong support system both with the team and among his own family, and that the situation would need time.
The Chiefs organization also released a brief statement acknowledging they are “aware of the incident involving Eric Bieniemy’s family,” without providing further detail.
Bieniemy’s Coaching Background
Bieniemy returned to Kansas City earlier this year to reprise his role as offensive coordinator, a position he first held from 2018 to 2022 — a stretch during which the Chiefs led the NFL in scoring, averaging 30.1 points per game. He left Kansas City in 2023 to take the same role with the Washington Commanders, spending one season there before the team’s coaching staff turned over. He then spent the 2024 season at UCLA before joining the Chicago Bears as running backs coach in 2025, returning to the Chiefs this offseason after Matt Nagy departed to join the New York Giants under Andy Reid’s former assistant John Harbaugh.
Bieniemy has coached in the NFL since 2000 and built his reputation during his first Kansas City tenure, but has not yet landed a head-coaching job of his own despite multiple interviews over the years.
What Comes Next
This remains an active investigation, and neither the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office nor the Bieniemy family has released additional details about what preceded the shooting. Elijah Bieniemy’s next court date has not been publicly disclosed. The Chiefs have not indicated when Eric Bieniemy is expected to rejoin the team ahead of the regular season.
This is a developing story. Details may be updated as more information becomes available from authorities.
