Police Report Shows Son Said Parents Restricted His Firearms Days Before Kansas City Shooting
A police call made two days before the July 26 shooting of Mia Bieniemy indicated that her son, Elijah Bieniemy, claimed his parents were withholding his weapons, prompting a mental-health evaluation for the suspect.
Kansas City police records obtained by The Athletic reveal that a 27-year-old man calling from the Bieniemy residence contacted authorities on July 24, two days before the shooting of Mia Bieniemy. The caller said his parents were demanding he surrender his firearms in order to remain in the home and that they would not return the weapons when he wanted to use them at a range. He also mentioned holding a CPR certification and expressed concern about his ability to defend himself.
Elijah Bieniemy is charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling in connection with the July 26 incident that left his mother, Mia Bieniemy, critically injured. A judge has ordered a mental-health evaluation, noting that the defendant appears to have significant mental-health issues and may be unable to assist in his own defense.
Mia Bieniemy was moved out of intensive care last week and is reported to be improving.
"He appears to suffer from significant mental health issues and does not appear able to assist in his own defense at the present time," the judge said.