3-year-old boy dies after stabbing in Ohio grocery store parking lot

A three-year-old boy was stabbed to death by a woman in a seemingly random attack in a grocery store parking lot.

The boy and his mother were walking from the Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted, Ohio, to their car when a woman ran toward them brandishing a kitchen knife, police said.

She stabbed the child and her mother shortly after 3 p.m. Monday.

First responders quickly provided first aid and both were rushed from the 27200 block of Lorain Road to St John Medical Center.

The boy suffered slashes to his back and cheek and was pronounced dead at the hospital, WOIO reported.

He was identified as Julian Wood by the Cuyahoga County medical examiner.

His mother, Margot Wood, 38, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

“We were heartbroken to learn of the death of the young victim of yesterday's senseless act of violence,” Giant Eagle said, according to the television station. “Our thoughts are with the child, his mother and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

Cops found the suspect still holding the knife and walking toward Dover Center Road, Capt. Eric Morgan said. She was taken into custody without incident at the scene and identified as Bionca Ellis, 32, of Cleveland.

Ellis was charged with aggravated murder and booked into North Olmsted Jail. She was scheduled to make her first appearance in Rocky River Municipal Court Tuesday afternoon.

A county grand jury will hear the case and Ellis could face additional charges.

Ellis had not interacted with the boy and his mother in the past.

“Everything we have learned so far indicates that this was a random act of violence,” said Det Sgt. Matthew Beck.

Ellis has no criminal history. She was accused of stealing from a Walmart last year but convicted of a reduced charge of unauthorized use of property, according to court records.

“Our hearts go out to the two victims of what appears to be a random act of violence,” North Olmsted Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones said, according to ABC News.

“As the mayor of North Olmsted and a mother myself, I cannot understand what this family must be going through. Losing their youngest child in such a violent and senseless way is absolutely heartbreaking.

“I know everyone in North Olmsted joins me in sharing their deep pain.”

The deadly attack occurred more than a year and a half after a suspected shoplifter at a Giants grocery store in Oxon Hill, Md., and a security guard shot each other at the entrance and both ended up dying.

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