An ordinary grocery trip turned into a nightmare for a family in North Olmstead, Ohio, when a woman allegedly launched a random attack, stabbing a mother and her 3-year-old son. The horrific incident unfolded on June 3rd outside a Giant Eagle grocery store, leaving the community reeling in shock and sorrow.
Margo Wood and her son, Julian, were exiting the store and heading to their car when 32-year-old Bianca Ellis allegedly followed and attacked them. Witnesses frantically called 911, their voices filled with terror as they described the unfolding chaos.
One caller reported a child bleeding profusely, while another described a woman in black clothing stabbing people in the parking lot. The calls paint a chilling picture of the chaotic scene as bystanders struggled to comprehend the senseless violence.
Police officers surround a woman lying on the ground.
North Olmstead police swiftly responded to the scene. Body camera footage shows the frantic efforts of first responders as they worked tirelessly to save 3-year-old Julian, who clung to life. The footage captures the raw emotion of the situation, with officers and paramedics battling desperately to revive the young boy.
In a heart-wrenching moment captured on body camera, Julian’s father arrived at the scene to witness the aftermath of the attack. Officers escorted him to the hospital, where his son was being treated for life-threatening injuries.
Police officer talking to a man in front of a police car.
As police investigated, a clearer picture of the events leading up to the attack emerged. Surveillance footage from a nearby thrift store showed Ellis with the knife used in the assault, raising questions about how she obtained the weapon.
Detective Sergeant Matt Beck of the North Olmstead Police revealed that Ellis had been inside the Volunteers of America thrift store prior to the attack. While it remains unclear whether she purchased or stole the knife, her presence there provides a chilling glimpse into the moments preceding the horrifying incident.
Sergeant Beck stated that Ellis proceeded from the thrift store to the Giant Eagle, where she targeted her victims, seemingly at random. She followed them out of the store and launched her brutal attack, stabbing Margo Wood in the shoulder and young Julian multiple times in the face and back. The entire assault unfolded in a horrifying span of five seconds.
Tragically, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, 3-year-old Julian succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. His mother, Margo, while physically expected to make a full recovery, faces the unimaginable trauma of the attack and the loss of her child.
Police apprehended Bianca Ellis shortly after the incident. She was found still in possession of the knife. The motive behind her senseless act remains a mystery, as there is no known prior connection between Ellis and the victims.
While Ellis has a history of non-violent offenses, including criminal trespassing and petty theft, nothing in her past suggested a capacity for such a horrific act. The seemingly random nature of the attack has left the community grappling for answers and struggling to comprehend the tragedy.
Police officer kneeling next to a woman lying on the ground.
Bianca Ellis faces a slew of charges, including aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and theft. She is currently being held on a $1 million bond. As the legal process unfolds, the community mourns the loss of Julian, a young life tragically cut short.
A GoFundMe page established by Julian’s aunt describes the family’s overwhelming grief and the outpouring of support from the community. The page serves as a testament to the devastating impact of this senseless act of violence, and a reminder that the road to healing for the Wood family will be long and arduous.
