2 charged in Chicago girl’s death

CHICAGO – Two Chicago men were charged in the shooting death of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, prosecutors said Monday.

Michael Ward, 18, and Kenneth Williams, 20, are charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery with a firearm in an attack during which two other teenagers were wounded.

Chicago Police picked up the two men over the weekend, hours after Michelle Obama attended the funeral for the teenager whose death has become a symbol of escalating violence in Chicago.

The men were pulled over late Saturday night or early Sunday morning after detectives canvassed the area of the park where Hadiya was shot to death Jan. 29 and found witnesses, sources close to the investigation said on the condition of anonymity.

Hadiya was shot in Vivian Gordon Harsh Park, about a mile north of President Barack Obama’s Kenwood neighborhood home. She died a little more than a week after the honor student performed with the King College Prep band in Washington during inauguration festivities.

The shooting occurred after classes were dismissed for the day during finals week at the school.