By In a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence, a 3-year-old boy named Julian Wood was killed, and his mother, Margot Wood, 38, was injured in a stabbing attack at a Giant Eagle grocery store parking lot in North Olmsted, Ohio. The incident, which appears to be a random act of violence, has left the community in shock and mourning.
According to North Olmsted police detective Sgt. Matt Beck, Bionca Ellis, 32, of Cleveland, was arrested in connection with the crime. Ellis is accused of stabbing both Julian and Margot Wood. The mother and son were transported to St. John’s Medical Center for treatment, but tragically, Julian succumbed to his injuries. Margot Wood was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive.
Ellis was charged with aggravated murder and arraigned via video from jail on Tuesday afternoon, with her bond set at $1 million. The investigation into the motive behind the attack is ongoing, but authorities believe it was a random act of violence, with no prior interactions between Ellis and the victims.
Surveillance video footage showed Ellis obtaining a kitchen knife from a nearby Volunteers of America store before the attack. She then allegedly followed Margot and Julian out of the grocery store to their car, repeatedly stabbing them with the knife in hand.
While Margot Wood is expected to make a full physical recovery, Sgt. Beck acknowledged that the emotional trauma she has endured will likely follow her for the rest of her life.
North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones expressed her condolences and shared her profound grief over the tragic loss of young Julian. She commended the swift response and compassion of the safety forces and called for the community to keep the family in their thoughts and prayers as they attempt to begin healing and moving forward.
Ellis was apprehended without resistance while walking towards Dover Center Road, still carrying the kitchen knife used in the attack. She was transported to the North Olmsted Jail. Although Ellis had several prior arrests, none of them were for violent offenses until Monday’s incident.
The senseless and violent nature of this attack has left the community reeling, as they come to terms with the loss of an innocent child and the trauma inflicted upon his mother. The North Olmsted police department continues its ongoing investigation into the crime as the community begins the difficult process of healing and moving forward.
