by
Hadiya Pendleton
Don Babwin
Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — Two men were taken into custody Sunday as “persons of interest” in the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old Chicago girl, a Chicago police spokeswoman said.
Chicago Police Department spokeswoman Melissa Stratton said the two men, ages 18 and 20, were taken into custody early Sunday morning and are being questioned. She said no charges have been filed.
The development comes one day after Hadiya Pendleton’s funeral, which was attended by first lady Michelle Obama and several other dignitaries.
Pendleton was shot to death Jan. 29 in a park that is about a mile from President Barack Obama’s home on the city’s South Side. Police have said Pendleton was an innocent victim in a gang-related shooting.
Just days before her death, the band majorette was among the performers during events for Obama’s inauguration.
Her slaying brought new attention to Chicago’s homicide rate, and came in a January that was the city’s deadliest in a decade. In 2012, Chicago recorded 506 homicides.
Among the other dignitaries at Saturday’s funeral were Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush.
A White House official says Pendleton’s parents will attend President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech.
Her parents, Cleopatra and Nathaniel Pendleton, will sit with the first lady during Tuesday’s speech, which is expected to mention gun violence.
Their attendance was first reported by the Chicago Tribune. The White House official spoke on condition of anonymity because the guest list has not been announced.
Meanwhile, Obama will travel to Chicago this week to address gun violence and other issues after his State of the Union address.
A Sunday statement from the White House press secretary says the president will be in Chicago on Friday for an event. He’ll also be traveling to Asheville, N.C., and Atlanta in the coming days.
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