Michelle Obama to Attend Funeral of Chicago Teen Hadiya Pendleton
First lady Michelle Obama will attend the funeral of a Chicago teenager who was gunned down days after performing at the Inauguration for the President in Washington, D.C., according to the Associated Press.
Hadiya Pendleton, 15, was fatally shot in the back and killed on Jan. 29 at a park on Chicago's South Side, a mile from the Obama family's home. Police say a gunman jumped a fence and opened fire on a group of young people. Police suspect Pendleton was the innocent victim of a gang member who may have mistook the teens for rivals on his turf.
Pendleton, a majorette in the King College Prep School band, performed with her classmates at several inaugural events in D.C, performing as a baton-twirling majorette.
"As a mother and Chicagoan, the first lady was heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of Hadiya Pendleton due to senseless gun violence," said Kristina Schake, the first lady's communications director. "Too many times, we've seen young people struck down with so much of their lives ahead of them. The first lady is traveling to her funeral on Saturday to offer her condolences and support to Hadiya's family and loved ones."
The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Thursday: "She went to the White House to see the president, and now the people in the White House are coming to see her. But they'll not see her, they'll view her, and that is so painful."
A White House official said the first lady will be accompanied to the funeral, along with senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and U.S. Education Secretary, Arne Duncan.
"This is overwhelming - that her life was so impactful, so meaningful, that they'd want to send Mrs. Obama," said Hadiya's aunt, Kimiko Pettis.
A $40,000 reward for the capture of her killer has grown by the day, and cops said tips are still coming in, sources say.
"It's just a matter of time when this person is turned in," said Shatira Wilks, Pendleton's cousin.
"She has a large following in death, as well as in life," Wilks said. "And we are already seeing change in Chicago as a result of her death."
Pendleton's death captured attention of the nation to Chicago's homicide rate and the debate over gun violence in America.
