SOUTH SURREY — A 15-year-old boy died Saturday morning after an overnight assault in Surrey.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Surrey RCMP received a report that two boys, aged 14 and 15, had fled to a home in the 15600-block of 18th Avenue after being assaulted by a group of four or five people.
The 15-year-old, later identified as Dario Bartoli, was transported by ambulance to Peace Arch Hospital, in critical condition. His parents were notified, and Surrey RCMP victim services made contact with the family, according to a release from Surrey RCMP.
The teen, a student at Earl Marriott Secondary, died of his injuries shortly after 10 a.m., the release said, and as a result, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team will take over the case.
In Surrey on Saturday, investigators cordoned off a wooded section on the southwest side of Bakerview Park at 154 Street and 18 Avenue. Police evidence markers were set up on several beer bottles on the ground in the park. Nearby children played at a playground.
The house where the injured teens fled is about three blocks east of the cordoned-off section of Bakerview Park.
“Surrey detachment will be actively involved with IHIT in determining who the suspect group is,†said the release from Surrey RCMP Insp. Bruce Stuart.
“Although a motive at this time is unclear, our priority is to speak with witnesses to determine what led to this homicide.â€
Few details were immediately available. On Saturday evening IHIT spokeswoman Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound said weapons may have been involved in the killing but that has yet to be confirmed.
Pound said IHIT is still seeking witnesses to learn more about the nature of the attack.