3-year-old boy dies after he and his mom stabbed outside grocery store

NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - 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 in the parking lot of the grocery store in the 27200 block of Lorain Road just after 3 p.m.

The child’s mother, Margot Wood, 38, of North Olmsted, was also stabbed.

North Olmsted police said officers gave first aid to both victims.

Emergency medical services took Julian and his mother to St. John Medical Center. The boy died from his injuries. Margot Wood was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and police said she is expected to make a full recovery.

North Olmsted police identified the suspect as Bionca Ellis, 32, of Cleveland.

Captain Eric Morgan said officers located the suspect walking towards Dover Center Road, still carrying the kitchen knife used in the attack.

North Olmsted police said Ellis was taken into custody without resistance and taken to the North Olmsted Jail.

She 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.

Detective Sgt. Matthew Beck said the motive of this attack remains under investigation, but “everything learned thus far points that this was a random act of violence.”

Ellis and the victims had no prior interactions before this incident, said Beck.

According to court records, in 2023 Ellis was charged 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.”

“Our hearts go out to the two victims of what appears to be a random act of violence,” North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones wrote in a statement.

In a statement, Giant Eagle said, “We are aware of the reported incident and are working with the authorities. For the moment, they (the authorities) are the best source for information.”

This is the same Giant Eagle where a murder-suicide took place in June 2023.

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