Police investigating the tragic beating death of a 15-year-old Surrey boy are asking anyone with information to contact them before sharing it on social media.

Dario Bartoli and another boy were viciously attacked early Saturday morning by a group of four or five people in Bakerview Park. Bartoli died in hospital just hours later.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said there have been a lot of rumours and speculation circulating online since the murder, and they’re appealing to the public to stop.

“We ask individuals who have information to come to police before turning to social media,” Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound said in a statement.

IHIT said early indications are that the killing followed an alcohol-fuelled altercation that escalated into violence.

Investigators haven’t confirmed whether weapons were used in the beating or how many people were involved. Pound said it’s also premature to classify the attack as a “swarming.”

The other victim, a 14-year-old, managed to escape with minor injuries.

The murder shocked the community, and Bartoli’s Surrey high school called in grief counsellors Monday to provide support to students.

Many mourners took to Twitter over the weekend using the hashtag #RIPDario.

“I don’t get how anyone could do this. No one deserves what you’ve gone through. You will be missed but never forgotten,” one wrote.

An autopsy is scheduled this week to confirm the cause of death.

Anyone with information on the murder is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if they wish to remain anonymous.