Cleveland, OH
New details about woman charged in fatal stabbing outside North Olmsted Giant Eagle
NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WOIO) – We’re learning more about the woman charged with fatally stabbing a three-year-old boy outside a Giant Eagle grocery store in North Olmsted on Monday. According to public records, Bionca Ellis, 32, of Cleveland has not had an extensive criminal history.
“There is nothing that shows that she has any violent tendencies,” said North Olmsted Detective Sergeant Matthew Beck.
On Tuesday, Ellis was charged with the aggravated murder of Julian Wood.
RELATED STORY: Suspect in Giant Eagle stabbing indicted on aggravated murder, murder charges
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Investigators say Ellis stabbed the boy and his mother with a kitchen knife in the parking lot of a Giant Eagle supermarket in North Olmsted. They say it appears to be a random attack.
Prior to that, court records show Ellis had been charged with theft at a North Olmsted Walmart in May of last year. Records show Ellis pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of unauthorized use of property and was given a six-month probation.
Judge Brian Hagan at Rocky River Municipal Court oversaw that case and told 19 Investigates that Ellis never completed her required theft education program ― thereby violating her probation. A warrant was then issued for her arrest.
“She was arrested on Thursday at Walmart,” said Detective Sergeant Beck. “A welfare check was done on her and she was found to have that warrant, so she was taken into custody and then she ― upon her release last week ― came back yesterday morning inquiring about some property of hers.”
Judge Hagan also said Ellis had no apparent history of mental health problems at the time ― something investigators now question.
“There is some mental health concerns that we have, but nothing concrete at this point,” said Detective Sergeant Beck.
Records show this past March, Ellis was also charged with criminal trespassing at a hotel in Kissimmee, Florida. According to the complaint, Ellis tried renting a room but didn’t have the funds. When the clerk at the front desk asked her to leave, she refused.
Officials confirm she was jailed for more than a month in Florida before being released. Other than that, Ellis appears to have nothing on her record but a number of traffic violations.
There is a Cleveland woman named Bionca Ellis on Facebook who claims to work at Cuyahoga County’s Department of Job & Family Services. Various people have begun posting derogatory remarks on her page ― making reference to her employment position. But 19 investigates contacted both Cuyahoga County and state officials who confirmed Ellis doesn’t work for job and family services and never has.
As for explaining why she did what she’s now accused of doing?
“There’s no indication as to why she committed this,” said Detective Sergeant Beck. “She wouldn’t speak about anything, she lawyered up.”
We tried contacting Ellis’ potential relatives to learn more about her, but haven’t heard back.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland EMS responded to a report for a gunshot wound early Saturday morning.
According to EMS, the report was for the 2800 block of Woodbridge Aveune around 2:40 a.m.
When EMS arrived, an 18-year-old woman was pronounced dead on scene and a 25-year-old man was transported to MetroHealth in critical condition.
According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, the victim was identified as 18-year-old Joshay Andrews, of Cleveland.
19 News has made call outs to Cleveland Police for more information on the shooting and if any arrests have been made.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
As Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey begins a new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland will begin searching for a new GM to work with President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman.
While Altman has been the man behind most of Cleveland’s big moves, including trades like the James Harden deal this year, Gansey has been a key part of the scouting and development operations.
Here are three candidates who could replace Gansey and take over some front office responsibilities.
1. Brandon Weems
Weems could be the most logical candidate for the job, allowing the Cavaliers to make an internal hire. Weems is currently serving as an assistant GM for the team.
He was hired as a director of scouting in 2017 and was promoted to senior director of scouting in 2021. He has been part of several solid draft picks including Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson, while also missing on picks like Isaac Okoro and Emoni Bates.
Weems still overlooks Cleveland’s scouting in his current possession, and still regularly scouts on his own for the team. He’d be a very logical choice to take over for Gansey, being able to help Cleveland get the most out of limited draft picks and help develop some late round talent.
2. Dave Telep
Once an ESPN analyst, Telep has been a key member of the San Antonio Spurs front office for more than a decade.
He was originally hired as a scouting coordinator, but worked his way up the ranks in the scouting and development department. In 2022 he was promoted to VP of basketball operations, where he helped draft Victor Wembanyama and the rest of the Spurs young cast.
He most recently has served as an assistant GM this season while the Spurs are having a terrific playoff run ahead of schedule. He’ll be a highly coveted prospect for any front office this year, but Cleveland could offer some serious money to acquire him and his development skills.
3. Matt Lloyd
One of the most experienced candidates who could be looking for a new home this offseason, Lloyd has proven to be a front office guy who is willing to make big moves.
He began his career in the late 90s with the Chicago Bulls, worked with the Orlando Magic for a decade, and has been with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the past few seasons.
Lloyd has been a part of a Timberwolves organization that has been active. Some of their splashes include swapping Karl Anthony-Towns for Julius Randle and Donte Divincenzo with the Knicks, and acquiring both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley from the Utah Jazz.
Lloyd has helped lead Minnesota to two conference finals, and a second round playoff trip this year. Having a voice telling Altman to pull the trigger on franchise-changing moves could be the difference in Cleveland’s success soon.
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