Kayla Rincon-Miller, 15, died March 17 after she was shot in what police say was an ambush attempted robbery. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

A 15-year-old girl died Sunday night after she was shot in what police say was an ambush attempted robbery.

Kayla Rincon-Miller was walking with two friends, heading to get something to eat after seeing a movie at the Coralwood Mall at around 9:40 p.m. Sunday.

A car pulled up behind them and blinded them with the car’s lights. An occupant or occupants jumped out and tried to rob the girls before one fired, striking Kayla in the chest, Cape Coral Police Department officials said.

The car then fled southbound on Southeast 16th Place.

Kayla was conscious and alert when police arrived, CCPD Chief Anthony Sizemore said at a press conference Monday. Despite lifesaving efforts by arriving officers and medical personnel, including the application a military-grade compress, she died after being trauma-alerted to the hospital.

“Our officers responded within minutes, and began lifesaving efforts on the gunshot victim, even applying a chest pack that’s commonly used in combat,” Sizemore said.

The girls were walking to McDonald’s at 1715 Del Prado Blvd. S. after having just seen a movie at the Coralwood 10 theater.

None of three of the girls, including Kayla, knew who the attacker(s) were, Sizemore said.

“At this time, our detectives are actively investigating any and all leads, and gather evidence — both physical evidence and forensic evidence,” he said.

When asked if this was a random attack or targeted incident, Sizemore said that could not be solidified at the time, and that the department is investigating.

“But any and all angles have to be looked into,” Sizemore said.

Sizemore said the attackers appeared to be “young.” He said he doesn’t believe the incident should be a cause for the community to panic, but that residents should be aware of their surroundings when walking at night.

CCPD asks that anyone with information regarding the shooting, anyone who has any surveillance videos that may help detectives, or who saw what happened, to call the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).