Hundreds of people packed an information meeting in Delta, B.C., Monday night to discuss the brazen murder of ones of its teens and address the fear gripping the community.
Fifteen-year-old Laura Szendrei was brutally beaten while walking to meet her friends in a park south of Vancouver this weekend. She died of her injuries the following day.
The meeting was called by Delta Police to address fears in the community and allow citizens to ask direct questions about the investigation.
Police admit they still aren't sure if the killing was random or targeted and say they have no suspects in custody.
Const. Sharlene Brooks said a team of 20 officers is assigned to the case and that all available resources are being dedicated to solving the case.
She suggests that citizens should take precautionary measures, including walking in groups of three or more, always carrying a cell phone and sticking to areas where there are plenty of people around.
Szendrei was attacked within metres of a crowd watching a football game at the park.
Friends and neighbours at the meeting expressed their outrage and sorrow over the tragic event that has shaken their normally quiet suburb.
"There's obviously a lot of anger going on but one attack to one of us is an attack to the whole community," one man told CTV News.
Another girl expressed her trepidation.
"I'm shocked, I'm speechless. This is supposed to be a safe place to live. This is very scary."
Investigators are hoping to speak with a man they've identified as a person of interest in the case. He is described as between 16 to 25, and was seen leaving the park while talking or texting on a cell phone.
