CLEVELAND, Ohio — Less than two months after Bionca Ellis was sentenced to life in prison for killing 3-year-old Julian Wood outside a North Olmsted Giant Eagle, the child’s parents are pressing forward with a civil lawsuit that could test the limits of corporate responsibility for customer safety.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Spellacy this week set a trial in the civil case for Oct. 19. The supermarket chain and other defendants argue that they should be dismissed from the case.

The complaint, filed by Jared and Margot Wood, accuses Giant Eagle of negligence, claiming the company removed armed guards from the store, despite what the filing says is a history of violent incidents.

“Because no security was present, … Bionca Ellis walked into the supermarket while brandishing

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