Teen Victim Identified in Fatal Stabbing at Ohio State Turf Fields

A man who was fatally stabbed at Ohio State University turf fields has now been identified.

Guilliani Olguin Jacinto, 19, was stabbed Friday evening at the turf fields of Lincoln Tower on Cannon Drive following a fight between two groups, officials said. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Our partners at the Columbus Dispatch report that the suspect in the case is 15 years old.

Police said neither Jacinto nor the suspect has any affiliation with the university, and it remains unclear whether they knew each other.

Ohio State University Police Chief Dennis Jeffrey said officers quickly took the suspect into custody, which is why no campus alert was issued. Jeffrey explained that Buckeye alerts are only sent when there is an active and ongoing threat that requires immediate action, such as sheltering in place.

“It started with an argument and then physical altercation and obviously the stabbing, so I don’t know if they knew each other or not, but they were playing on that field against each other,” Jeffrey said.

He added that the entire incident unfolded in under ten minutes.

Police said they are increasing patrols in the area.

An Ohio State spokesperson said university sports clubs and intramural teams typically use the Lincoln Tower Park fields until about 10 or 11 p.m. each night. Previously, the fields remained open for recreational use after those hours, but that is no longer allowed effective immediately.

The university is also evaluating long-term measures, including technological security upgrades around the perimeter and field access points, and plans to increase staff oversight during peak evening hours.

The attorney for the juvenile suspect told the Columbus Dispatch that the stabbing occurred in self-defense.

Jeffrey said the incident does not reflect a broader trend of crime on campus.

“We use, like, a ten-year average,” he said. “They’re lower than they have been in ten years. But we certainly want to maintain our vigilance. So we work with (Columbus Police), as you know, constantly, every day, and we want to make sure our students are safe and the overall campus community.”