Mural Created to Honor Child Tragically Killed in Giant Eagle Parking Lot
A heartfelt memorial is being created in North Olmsted, just steps away from where the tragic incident occurred on June 3. World-renowned artist Arlin Graff is painting a mural as a tribute to three-year-old Julian Wood, who would have turned four on Tuesday.
Graff describes the mural as an emotional project, with each brush stroke serving as a poignant reminder of Julian. “It’s a hard subject to work on,” he said. “I was in shock. It could easily be me or my family or someone we know.”
Julian was leaving the Giant Eagle store at Lorain Road and Dover Center with his mother, Margot Wood, when they were attacked in the parking lot by the suspect, identified as Bionca Ellis. The unprovoked stabbing deeply affected the community.
The artist, whose own child is the same age as Julian, recalled seeing the murder reported on the news and felt compelled to act. “It triggered me,” he admitted. “My wife and kid, we’re always in the same parking lot; we are here all the time.”
Graff, originally from Brazil and now a local resident, has created over 35 large murals for major companies like Nike, Netflix, and BMW. However, he considers this project a true labor of love. “When I heard his favorite color is green and he loves dinosaurs, that’s when my artistic feelings started,” he explained.
The vibrant dinosaur mural is being painted on the exterior wall of T.I. Rooney, a business owned by Terry Rooney, who was devastated by the nearby tragedy. “You feel so bad about the family and what they’re going through,” Rooney expressed. After learning about the mural plans, he reached out to city officials for permission and support, which included providing paint and a lift for Graff, who is volunteering his time for the project.
To ensure durability and longevity, house paint is being used instead of spray paint. The mural is expected to be completed by this weekend and has already begun to uplift community spirits, particularly for Julian’s family, who granted permission for the project. They visited the site on what would have been Julian’s 4th birthday to take pictures and witness the tribute.
“We actually had a chance to meet them today, and they’re hurting, but they wanted to come by and check out what’s going on,” Rooney said. “It’s about the community coming together.”
Graff hopes that the mural brings some comfort to Julian’s family during this difficult time. Meanwhile, Bionca Ellis has been found incompetent to stand trial for her actions.
