King College Prep Marching Band, Chicago Just over a week ago Hadiya Pendleton was happily performing in the parade celebrating Barack Obama's second inaugural with the King College Prep Marching Band and Drill Team. Today her body is in a
January 30, 2013


King College Prep Marching Band, Chicago

Just over a week ago Hadiya Pendleton was happily performing in the parade celebrating Barack Obama's second inaugural with the King College Prep Marching Band and Drill Team.

Today her body is in a morgue after she and a friend were shot while hanging out in the park after they finished their exams and were let out of school early.

Via Chicago Tribune:

Pendleton and a 16-year-old boy wounded in the attack were shot in a park near the school about 2:20 p.m., in the 4500 block of South Oakenwald Avenue, police said.

Most of those who were in the park were gang members, and those in the group did not stay on scene to help after the shootings, according to police. The shooting occurred around 2:20 p.m. in the 4500 block of South Oakenwald Avenue.

They boy remained in serious condition Tuesday night. He was also a student at King, according to Pendleton’s friends, though her relatives weren’t sure what school the boy attended.

[...]

Friends said the girl was a majorette and a volleyball player, a friendly and sweet presence at King, one of the top 10 CPS selective enrollment schools. Pendleton performed at President Barack Obama’s inauguration with the King College Prep band, said Shatira Wilks, her second cousin.

The area was not a crime-ridden area, according to local residents. The Chicago Tribune reports that no violent crimes had been reported in the last 30 days.

My heart is broken for her family. Maybe it's the band geek in me, but this one feels like someone just shoved a cold knife right through me. I don't know how we're going to stop the cycle of violence, but there is just something so damn wrong about a 15-year old girl who had just performed for the President of the United States and who had a bright future in front of her being gunned down for the sin of going to the park after school.

Wrong place, wrong time, unintended consequence.

I hate guns.

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