Teen dies after daylight attack in Delta, B.C. park

Police are looking for a person of interest after a teen died from injuries suffered during a daylight assault in a Vancouver-area park.

Police in Delta, B.C. say 15-year-old Laura Szendrei was attacked in a wooded area of Mackie Park at approximately 1:30 pm Saturday afternoon.

They arrived to find the teen suffering from serious injuries.

Police won't confirm reports Szendrei was struck in the head with a baseball bat.

"Sadly, Laura succumbed to her injuries in the early morning hours of September 26, 2010 with her family by her side," Delta Police spokesperson Sgt. Sharlene Brooks said at a news conference Sunday.

Brooks also explained that investigators don't yet know whether the attack was random or targeted.

"We're not going to lie to the public, we don't know at this point," she said.

Sunday evening, police appealed to talk to a person of interest who walked out of the park approximately 15 minutes before they were called. Described as between 16 and 25 years old with a medium build, he was wearing cargo shorts and a white t-shirt with a backpack at the time.

As the park was busy when the assault occurred, police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact 604-946-4411.

Investigators combed the crime scene overnight, and spent the day canvassing door-to-door. An area surrounding the park, an elementary school and a secondary school remained cordoned off Sunday night.

In the meantime, Sgt. Brooks told CTV News that area residents should exercise caution.

That includes walking in small groups, staying in well-lit, high-traffic areas, and carrying a cellular phone, Brooks said, "especially now while there's a heightened concern in this community."

Brooks also warned against relying on social media for information about the case.

"We're really appealing to the public to go to official sources to get information about what we know for certain," she said, noting that misinformation may be spreading through Facebook and other online communities.

With files from CTV News Vancouver and The Canadian Press

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  Laura Szendrei

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  Police officers investigate the beating death of a 15-year-old girl at Mackie Park in Delta, B.C., on Sunday September 26, 2010. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  A police officer puts up police tape as other officers investigate the beating death of a 15-year-old girl at Mackie Park in Delta, B.C., on Sunday September 26, 2010. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  A police officer stands at the entrance to a pathway to a wooded area as other officers investigate the beating death of a 15-year-old girl at Mackie Park in Delta, B.C., on Sunday September 26, 2010. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)