Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has expressed support for offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and his family following a shooting incident at their home in Ashburn, Virginia. The incident involved Bieniemy’s wife, Mia Bieniemy, who was shot on Sunday evening, and their son, Elijah Zion Bieniemy, who has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
Reid spoke to reporters on Monday after the team’s training camp practice, stating, “Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family, our thoughts and prayers are with them.” He added that while he could not delve into specifics, “things happen sometimes, and Eric will work through it. He has a great support group here, as does his family, as needed. We’ll just let time take care of it from there.”
Details of the Incident
Authorities in Virginia confirmed that deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Ashburn late Sunday. They found Mia Bieniemy, who is 57, with multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported to a hospital and was reported to be in stable condition on Monday.
Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested early Monday in connection with the shooting. He faces charges including malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. He is currently being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. The sheriff’s office indicated that the investigation is ongoing and there is not believed to be any threat to the public.
Reid provided an update on Mia Bieniemy’s condition, noting, “Mia is stable, which is a plus.” He also mentioned, “So is Eric Junior, and that’s all important.” Reid praised Mia Bieniemy, calling her “a saint” and “one of God’s good blessings… really a special person.”
Bieniemy’s Absence and Team Adjustments
Eric Bieniemy was not present for the Chiefs’ practice on Monday. There is no set timeline for his return to the team, as he is with his family. Reid emphasized the importance of prioritizing personal matters, stating, “On these things, real life, you take care of that, and that becomes important.”
During Bieniemy’s absence, other coaches will step up to manage his responsibilities. Joe Bleymaier, the pass-game coordinator, will be involved in those duties, and offensive line coach Andy Heck, who is also the run-game coordinator, will contribute. Reid expressed confidence in the team’s ability to continue operations, saying, “we’ll be able to keep it moving here.”
Reid reiterated the team’s focus on supporting Bieniemy, stating, “The most important thing is that EB has the opportunity to spend some time there and take care of that business.” He also acknowledged the fresh nature of the situation, adding, “This is fresh, so we’ll just see how things go. But the fact that she’s in stable condition, I think, is a positive for what it could be.”
Eric Bieniemy has a long-standing relationship with Reid, having been an assistant coach under him for an extended period. He was part of Reid’s initial staff in Kansas City in 2013, serving five seasons as the running backs coach before his promotion to offensive coordinator. During his previous five seasons as offensive coordinator, the Chiefs reached three Super Bowls and won two of them, with Bieniemy playing a role in directing one of the NFL’s top offenses.
After interviewing for several head-coaching positions, Bieniemy moved to the Washington Commanders in 2023. Following a season where the team struggled and coach Ron Rivera’s staff was dismissed, Bieniemy spent a season as the offensive coordinator at UCLA. He then served as the running backs coach for the Bears in 2025 before returning to the Chiefs this season to replace Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator. He was present for offseason workouts and joined the team at training camp last week.
The Chiefs are scheduled to welcome veterans and the remaining 90-man offseason roster to training camp on Tuesday, with a full-team practice slated for Wednesday.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.