Two known gang members have been charged for the murder of Hadiya Pendleton, the 15-year-old honor student from Chicago who was killed just a week after performing at the inauguration. The two men were questioned over the weekend after Chicago police talked to witnesses and combed the site of the murder, and now official charges have been filed.
18-year-old Michael Ward and 20-year-old Kenneth Williams have been charged with murder in the first degree, two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. According to authorities, Ward and Williams are members of the Gangster Disciples and the Jan. 29 shooting was revenge for a July incident where Williams was shot.
Pendleton and a group of teens were seeking refuge from the rain in Vivian Harsh Park when the shooting occurred. Ward confessed to the shooting, and authorities believe he's the gunman who hopped a fence and opened fire, fatally shooting Pendleton and wounding two other teens.
Williams and Ward will both appear in court today.
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