Bryanna Barozzini admittedly killed Halia Culbertson: Police
Bryanna Barozzini (left) is accused of stabbing and killing Halia Culbertson (right) in a supermarket on March 26, 2023. (Columbus Division of Police and Austin Culbertson)
Halia Culbertson, 17, was stabbed to death late Sunday night. Now the 18-year-old woman charged with her murder is out on bail.
The incident happened in a far northeast neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, according to the Columbus Division of Police. Officers responded at 11:48 p.m. that night. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her lonely wound shortly thereafter.
Police say Bryanna Barozzini admittedly swung a knife at the victim during what appeared to be a fight, according to local Fox affiliate WSYX.
According to court filings reviewed by Law&Crime, the defendant is currently charged with murder under Ohio law.
She was charged Tuesday in Franklin County Municipal Court.
Bryanna Barozzini will appear in court on March 28, 2023. (Screen grab via WSYX)
The terms of her bail, set at $750,085 and paid Tuesday, bar her from any contact with the victim’s family. Barozzini is also prohibited from visiting the crime scene or possessing firearms, ammunition or other weapons.
The newspaper reports that the alleged altercation took place at 161 Carryout, a supermarket and tobacconist. The incident reportedly started indoors and then spread to the parking lot, according to witnesses and surveillance footage. Barozzini was later found at her home in Westerville, a relatively high-income suburb of Columbus.
The younger girl died at 12:24 a.m. Monday at OhioHealth Riverside Medical Center, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
“On March 27, 2023, our sister was unexpectedly and tragically taken from us,” read a GoFundMe started by the late girl’s siblings. “Please find it in your heart to help, everything will help. Halia was the most loving and outgoing person, she cared about everyone close to her and she was very loved by all of us. We are asking for donations to help Halia make it as big as she wants.”
The girl’s obituary touches on similar themes:
On March 27, 2023, our sister was stolen from us in an unexpected and heartbreaking way. Please try to find it in your heart to help as every contribution, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated. Halia was the most generous and outgoing of all people.
She showed genuine interest in those she cared about and we all held her in high esteem. We’re launching a fundraiser in hopes of helping Halia have a heartfelt farewell that fits her wishes. Thank you very much. She was the most beautiful person I have ever seen and she had the most generous heart. May God bless each and every one of you and please accept my sincere gratitude for the outpouring of affection and help.
In honor of a member of our community who left this world far too soon, we humbly ask Big Walnut to give this family some of the help and support we receive. The unimaginable agony of losing a child is something no parent ever has to go through. I sincerely hope that this family is aware that they can count on the love and support that we will give them.
Barozzini was arrested on Monday.
Investigators arrested an 18-year-old woman in the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old girl on March 26, 2023 at 5600 blk. from on Emporium Sq. Bryanna Barozzini was identified as a suspect and charged with murder. pic.twitter.com/1BkyWE3MYC
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) March 27, 2023
A lawyer for the defendant told a judge this week that there were self-defense-related issues that would be addressed as the case progressed, but declined to go into details, according to WSYX.
Barozzini is a Westerville North High School graduate who is currently attending Columbus State, the TV network reported. Her attorney said Tuesday that she had been cooperating with law enforcement, noting her lack of a criminal record.
“Our young people, their lives are ending just too quickly,” said Louis Barnett, who buys his lottery tickets at the corner store where the violence unfolded, in a comment to WSYX. “It’s scary to know that things like this happen and I really believe that with time it will sort itself out.”
The defendant’s next court date is currently scheduled for April 6.
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https://lawandcrime.com/crime/college-student-out-on-750000-bond-after-allegedly-stabbing-17-year-old-girl-to-death-in-convenience-store-parking-lot/ Bryanna Barozzini admittedly killed Halia Culbertson: Police