Woman fatally stabs 3-year-old boy, hurts mother in Giant Eagle parking lot in Ohio

A 3-year-old boy is dead after officials say a Cleveland woman attacked and stabbed the boy and his mother outside a northeastern Ohio grocery store in what appears to be a random act of violence.

The attack took place Monday outside a Giant Eagle in the city of North Olmsted, a Cleveland suburb, police reported.

On Tuesday, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office identified the child as Julian Wood, age 3, of North Olmsted.

Just after 3 p.m. officers responded to multiple 911 calls of a reported stabbing in the parking lot of the grocery chain, the North Olmsted Police Department reported in a news release.

"All information gathered at this time indicates this is a random act of violence and the defendant and the victims never met," North Olmsted police spokesman Matt Beck told USA TODAY Tuesday.

Arriving officers located the boy and his 38-year-old mother, police said, and began first-aid as witnesses gave officers a description of the stabbing suspect and took the person into custody at the scene.

Police identified the stabbing suspect as Bionca Ellis, 32, of Cleveland.

Beck said Ellis was arrested on an aggravated murder charge and additional charges in the case would be determined by a grand jury.

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Boy stabbed outside Giant Eagle dies after being taken to hospital

Beck told USA TODAY both the child and mother suffered stab wounds with the mother stabbed once in the shoulder, and the child stabbed at least two times.

Paramedics transported the 3-year-old boy and his mother to a hospital where the boy later died, officials said.

The boy's mother was treated and released from the hospital, Beck said Tuesday.

According to coroner's office records, the boy's official cause and manner of death are pending autopsy results.

Beck said the double stabbing remained under investigation Tuesday.

“I am deeply saddened by an incident this afternoon in the parking lot," North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones released in a statement following the attack. "Our hearts go out to the two victims of what appears to be a random act of violence.”

Suspect in Giant Eagle parking lot stabbing arrested on murder charge

On Tuesday, Ellis remained at the North Olmsted City Jail without bond awaiting arraignment in Rocky River Municipal Court.

As of late Tuesday morning, that court appearance had not yet been set, Beck said.

It was not immediately known if Ellis had obtained an attorney.

A phone number listed online for Ellis was disconnected.

Giant Eagle: 'We were heartbroken'

Giant Eagle released the following statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday:

"We were heartbroken to learn of the passing of the young victim in yesterday's senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with the child, his mother and their loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time. We thank the North Olmsted Mayor's Office and the community's first responders for their unwavering commitment. We are providing counseling services to our store teams and are ready to support our North Olmsted neighbors however we can."

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.