The son of Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Eric Bieniemy will undergo a court-ordered competency evaluation after being charged in the shooting of his mother at the family's Virginia home.
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A Loudoun County judge granted a defense motion requesting the evaluation for 27-year-old Elijah Zion Bieniemy. According to court filings, defense attorneys argued he is experiencing significant mental health issues and is unable to assist in his own defense.
As a result, his preliminary hearing, which had been scheduled for Aug. 31, will be rescheduled.
Elijah Bieniemy was arrested following the July 26 shooting and is charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling. He remains held without bond, according to multiple reports.
Investigators allege Bieniemy used a .22-caliber firearm to shoot his mother, Mia Bieniemy, inside the family's Ashburn, Virginia, home. Authorities said she underwent surgery after suffering gunshot wounds and was later released from intensive care. Officials previously described her condition as stable.
Authorities have not announced a possible motive, and court records indicate Elijah Bieniemy has no prior criminal history.
Eric Bieniemy returned to the Chiefs earlier this year after spending the previous three seasons with the Washington Commanders, UCLA and the Chicago Bears. He was part of two Super Bowl-winning coaching staffs in Kansas City before leaving for Washington following the 2022 season.
The competency evaluation will determine whether Elijah Bieniemy is currently able to understand the legal proceedings and assist in his own defense before the criminal case moves forward.
