A 3-year-old Ohio boy has passed away following a random knife attack outside of a Giant Eagle grocery store.
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According to the North Olmsted Police Department, the 3-year-old, identified as Julian Wood, had just finished shopping with his mother Margot at the city’s Giant Eagle location at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday, June 3, when they attacked outside their vehicle in the parking lot.
Although the mother and son were quickly taken to nearby St. John Medical Center, Julian died from his injuries. His mother Margot was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
North Olmsted Police Department Captain Eric Morgan stated officers located the knife attack suspect walking towards Dover Center Road. The woman, identified as Bionca Ellis of Cleveland, was still carrying the knife when officers approached her.
After being taken into custody without resistance and transported to the North Olmsted Jail, Ellis was charged with aggravated murder. Following her initial appearance by video in the Rocky River Municipal Court on Tuesday, June 4, Ellis’ attorney requested a preliminary hearing, which is scheduled for Monday, June 10, at 10:30 a.m.
The investigation into the attack’s motive is currently underway. However, the North Olmsted Police Department stated that the information provided so far points to it being a random act of violence.
“Ellis and the victims had no prior interactions before the incident,” the department explained. Ellis had allegedly obtained the knife from a nearby Volunteers of America location.
The suspect is known to the North Olmsted Police Department for a prior offense of theft. The department shared that she has no violent criminal history.
Ellis is currently being held at the North Olmsted Jail with a $1 million bond. Additional charges will be added once the case is presented to the Cuyahoga County Grand Jury.
A GoFundMe Campaign Has Been Set Up for the Family of Knife Attack Victim
Following the devastating knife attack, the Wood family’s loved ones set up a GoFundMe.
The campaign organizers are Nasja Aude, who is Margot’s cousin and Julian’s aunt; Dawn Silavent and Stephanie Massari, both are close friends of Margot.
The trio revealed that Margot was completely blindsided by her attacker, who stabbed her and Julian as she was putting groceries in her vehicle. “
“Honestly we have no explanation as to how or why this happened,” the GoFundMe’s description reads. “It was a random act of violence. There was no prior altercation, they did not know each other… this was a malicious random act. She has devastated our family beyond words…she took something from us we can never get back.”
The loved ones also wrote about Julian’s adorableness, detailing his laugh, cheesy smile, rambunctious attitude, and love for dinosaurs.
“This is something no person, no family, no mother, no father, no grandmother should ever experience. We urge you all to hold your babies close. This should have never happened.”
Julian is survived by his mother, father Jared, grandmother, brother, and sister. “Pray out family receives some sort of justice.”
The GoFundMe has so far raised more than $130,000 from over 3,100 donors. This is the only GoFundMe approved by the family.