Police are questioning two persons of interest in the slaying of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, a day after first lady Michelle Obama attended the funeral for the teen whose death has become a symbol of escalating violence in Chicago, according to police sources.
The two men, 19 and 20, were pulled over around 67th Street and South Chicago Avenue early this morning after detectives heavily canvassed the area of Harsh Park and tracked down witnesses to the shooting Jan. 29, the sources said. No charges have been filed.
One of the two men has a previous weapons conviction, according to court files.
Hadiya was fatally shot in the park about a mile north of President Barack Obama's Kenwood home, a little more than a week after the honor student performed with the King College Prep band in Washington during inauguration festivities. Two other teens were wounded.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel personally called Hadiya's parents, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton and Nathanial Pendleton, to inform them of the developement, according to a source.
A relative of Hadiya said the development is a "good response" and better information than the family had Saturday.
Arrests and charges "will bring a small level of closure to the family, although (the shooter) still will be allowed to eat, drink, mingle," said Shatira Wilks, a cousin and family spokesperson. "The thing about that is, Hadiya is no longer to do so."
On how Hadiya’s family is doing, Wilks said, "Everyone keeps asking that. I don’t know if you’ll ever get an answer that we’re feeling good or we’re feeling fine."
Hadiya's death occurred during the deadliest January for Chicago in a decade, and it came on the heels of a homicide total last year that was the highest since 2008.
The first lady's attendance at Hadiya's funeral placed Chicago even further into the spotlight of a national debate over gun violence that has polarized Congress and forced the president to take his gun control initiatives on the road to garner more public support.
Neither the first lady nor elected officials gave remarks during the funeral. Only the friends and relatives who knew Hadiya best were allowed to speak.
2 persons of interest questioned in Hadiya Pendleton's death
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2 persons of interest questioned in Hadiya Pendleton's death
