The preseason of the Kansas City Chiefs was marked by a delicate episode off the field of play. Eric Bieniemy, the team's assistant coach, left training camp after his son was arrested for his alleged involvement in a gun attack that injured his wife, Mia Bieniemy, in Virginia.

According to Loudoun County authorities, the incident occurred Sunday night in Ashburn, where the family still maintains a home from Bieniemy's time on the Washington Commanders coaching staff.

Eric Bieniemy's wife was hospitalized after being shot

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies found Mia Bieniemy, 57, with multiple gunshot wounds inside the home. The victim was taken to a hospital and, as of Monday, remained in stable condition.

The investigations led to the arrest of Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, the coach's son, who faces charges of malicious wounding, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling.

The young man remains detained without bail while investigations continue to clarify what happened.

Eric Bieniemy absent from Chiefs camp

Before the incident became known, Eric Bieniemy had participated normally in the activities of the Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. However, on Monday he was no longer present at the practice for rookies, quarterbacks and some veterans.

Head coach, Andy Reid, expressed his support for his collaborator in a press conference and confirmed that the priority is for him to address the family situation.

"Our hearts go out to Eric Bieniemy and his family. Thoughts and prayers with them," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said afterward. "I can't go into details about it, but sometimes things happen, and Eric will get through it. He has a great support group here, as does his family, as needed, and we'll just let time take care of it from there. But Mia is stable, which is a plus," he said.

"She's a saint, we all know that, those of you who know her. One of God's great blessings," Reid added. "But things happen. And you have to get over them. That's where we are right now. Time will have to be involved in this to help heal," he added.

The strategist also noted that he does not know how long Bieniemy will remain away from the team. Meanwhile, passing game coordinator Joe Bleymaier and offensive line coach Andy Heck will temporarily assume some of his responsibilities during camp.

"These things, real life. So you deal with it," Reid said. “We can continue to make progress here, but the most important thing is that EB has the opportunity to spend some time there and take care of that matter,” he said.

Eric Bieniemy's career with the Kansas City Chiefs

Eric Bieniemy joined the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff in 2013 alongside Andy Reid. After serving as running backs coach for five seasons, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, a position in which he helped the team play in three Super Bowls and win two NFL titles.

In 2023 he left Kansas City to join the Washington Commanders as offensive coordinator in search of a head coaching opportunity. He later worked at UCLA and with the Chicago Bears, before returning this season to the Chiefs to replace Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator.

The organization had a scheduled break on Tuesday, while the first training session with the full squad is scheduled for Wednesday at the Missouri Western State facilities.

Days before the incident, Andy Reid had highlighted the return of his collaborator to the coaching staff.

“It's great to have (Bieniemy) back in the building,” Reid said last week. "He always brings great energy. I've told you, he's one of the most phenomenal guys I've ever met being a leader of men. He's doing that. He's out there giving it — he works like a damn, and I appreciate that. He doesn't let anything get past him. He does a good job with that."