NORTH OLMSTED, OH – A seemingly random act of violence resulted in the fatal stabbing of a three-year-old boy in a suburban Cleveland grocery store parking lot on Monday. The boy’s mother, aged 38, was also injured in the violent assault. Responding to multiple 911 calls, the police arrived at the scene to find the mother and son in dire condition.
Julian Wood, from North Olmsted, was identified as the young victim by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday. The mother and son had been returning to their vehicle after shopping at the Giant Eagle in North Olmsted when the assailant attacked them.
Witnesses provided the police with a suspect description, leading to the arrest of 32-year-old Cleveland resident Bionca Ellis at the scene. Matt Beck, a North Olmsted police representative, confirmed that the defendant and victims had not met before, making this an entirely random incident.
Ellis faces an aggravated murder charge, although a Grand Jury will decide on any additional charges. The 38-year-old mother was treated at a local hospital and subsequently released, whereas Julian was unable to survive his life-threatening injuries.
Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones of North Olmsted expressed her deep sorrow over the incident, noting that such random acts of violence deeply distress communities.
Ellis is currently held at the North Olmsted City Jail without bond, awaiting her arraignment in Rocky River Municipal Court. As of Tuesday, no court date has been set.