ASHBURN, VIRGINIA — A judge has granted a motion for a mental health competency evaluation for Elijah Bieniemy, delaying court proceedings in the case where he is charged with shooting his mother at their Virginia home. The 27-year-old son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy faces charges including malicious wounding following the July 26 incident in Ashburn.

Mia Bieniemy was shot at the family's home in Ashburn, Virginia on July 26, 2026. Elijah Bieniemy was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. He was transported to the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center and held without bond after being taken into custody outside the residence.

The criminal complaint stated Mia Bieniemy called 911 herself during the incident. Dispatcher audio from July 26 referenced a 57-year-old woman being shot in the chest and arm and unable to breathe, with a portion of a projectile remaining in her body. Mia Bieniemy is 57 years old and was shot twice with a.22-caliber Ruger firearm, once in the left forearm and once in the left shoulder.

Mia Bieniemy underwent surgery for her injuries and survived. She was critically wounded and transferred out of the intensive care unit as her condition improved. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid provided updates on her recovery during press conferences.

"She’s doing better and great from where she was. She’s out of the ICU unit and making progress, so we’re happy about that," Reid said. "Mia's doing better. She keeps improving by the day, so that's a positive," Reid said.

Elijah Zion Bieniemy is 27 years old and is the son of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Mia Bieniemy. Court documents indicate that police had received multiple calls regarding the family prior to the shooting. On July 24, 2026, a 27-year-old man calling from the Bieniemy family's address told police his parents were withholding his weapons and that he is a certified UFC fighter so he feels he cannot defend himself.

The caller on July 24 told police his parents said he must give them his firearms if he wants to keep living in the home and could have them back when he needed them. The caller on July 24 told police his parents refuse to give him his firearms back when he tries to go to the range to use them. The caller on July 24 rambled about having a CPR license and what if he cannot help.

Police received a call on June 22 regarding a suspicious circumstance at the Bieniemy address involving people whose descriptions matched Elijah and Mia Bieniemy. Police received a call on June 26 from a college counselor requesting a welfare check on a 27-year-old. Police determined the June 1 call did not require an urgent response due to a lack of access to weapons. The calls received a Stage 3 classification from police, designating an urgent but non-life-threatening situation.

A judge granted Elijah Bieniemy's public defender's motion for a mental health competency evaluation. The public defender filed a motion stating the defendant's current condition prevents participation in his legal defense. "He appears to suffer from significant mental health issues and does not appear able to assist in his own defense at the present time," Elijah Bieniemy's public defender wrote in the court filing.

Elijah Bieniemy's court hearings have been delayed pending a mental health evaluation, with parties scheduled to meet and review progress on September 9. A Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokesperson addressed inquiries about the prior police interactions with the family. "We have reviewed the incidents referenced in your correspondence as part of our investigation," the spokesperson said.

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is helping with practices while at home with his wife as she recovers from being shot. The Kansas City Chiefs' final day of training camp is on August 20, 2026.

Why It Matters

The court-ordered mental health evaluation delays criminal proceedings against Elijah Bieniemy, as his public defender asserts he currently cannot assist in his own defense. This legal pause follows multiple prior police interactions at the family home concerning weapons access and welfare checks that were classified as urgent but non-life-threatening. The outcome of the competency review will determine when the case involving charges of malicious wounding and firearm use can proceed.