Lawsuit Filed by Parents of 3-Year-Old Murdered at Giant Eagle Over Security Failures
The parents of a child who was stabbed to death in a Giant Eagle parking lot have filed a federal lawsuit against the grocery store chain, alleging a lack of security contributed to the tragedy.
In their complaint, Jared and Margot Wood claim that Giant Eagle prioritized profits over customer safety. The incident occurred on June 3, 2024, when the North Olmsted grocery store had removed security personnel despite a previous fatal shooting of an employee at the location.
“Corporations that invite us onto their premises to make money owe us a duty to ensure our safety while we shop,” said attorney Charlie Rittgers, who represents the Wood family.
Three-year-old Julian Wood was in the grocery store parking lot with his mother, Margot, when Bionca Ellis allegedly entered the supermarket brandishing a ten-inch knife. She followed the Woods into the parking lot and stabbed Julian in the face and back, according to court records. Margot was also stabbed while trying to protect her son, who tragically died at the scene.
Ellis fled but was apprehended nearby by police.
Rittgers noted, “We have a person not attempting to conceal the weapon, walking right through the front, very visible, in good lighting… and passing by where security or a greeter would have been positioned to intervene.”
The lawsuit claims that if Giant Eagle employees had been adequately monitoring the surveillance cameras, they would have seen Ellis openly wielding the knife inside and outside the store.
“All we can do as lawyers and through our civil justice system is seek financial compensation… and money is what changes corporate behavior,” Rittgers added.
On September 16, Ellis was found incompetent to stand trial and was ordered to receive inpatient care at Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare to determine if she can be restored to competency.
