Dario Bartoli, 15, killed in group assault in Surrey

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified the teen killed in an assault early Saturday morning in Surrey as 15-year-old Dario Bartoli.

IHIT spokeswoman Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound said police believeBartoliand a friend were assaulted by a group of four to five people.

Police were called around 2:43 a.m. PT to a home in the 15600 block of 18 Avenue, where two teenage boys, aged 14 and 15, had fled after being assaulted.

Bartoli was rushed to nearby Peace Arch Hospital with critical injuries, but he succumbed to those injuries at 10:20 a.m. PT.

The 14-year-old sustainedminor injuries in the attack.

IHIT pleads for group to come forward

Pound said the group Bartoli was with had been drinking and that poses a problem for investigators.

"We do believe that the individuals that were in this area, the group of individuals were consuming alcohol throughout the day," she said.

"We need to collect the truthful evidence, the true evidence that supports the theory of what occurred here and until we do that we cant move forward quickly," she said."The early indication was that a group of youth was responsible for this.That has yet to be confirmed."

Pound saidIHITwas releasing Bartoli's name in the hope the group that was with himFriday would come forward and speak withthem.

"We are asking witnesses and anyone who was with Dario throughout the day yesterday from the afternoon into the evening to come forward and speak with IHIT investigators," she said.

Police have said weapons were involved in the assault, but have released no further information about them.

Map: 15600 block 18 Avenue, Surrey, B.C.