Hadiyah Pendleton was shot and killed in Chicago just days after performing at Obama's Inauguration. The 15-year-old girl was gunned down when she returned home after her trip to Washington, D.C.. On Jan. 31, The National Ledger reported that Pendleton was killed in a park, likely by local gang members.
"Yesterday, in a rainstorm after school, she raced to a shelter. A gunman came in and shot her dead. Just a matter of days after the happiest day of her life, she's gone," said US Senator Dick Durbin. It is unknown if Hadiyah's murder was directly related to her support of the President (based on the report, this sounds like a random act of violence).
Hadiyah Pendleton was so happy to have made history with thousand of American's on the day of Obama's Inauguration. She performed with her high school's Majorette group and celebrated Obama's second term. Her friends say that she had a great time and that she was honored to have been invited to perform -- but that happiness was ended tragically upon her return home.
Pendleton was with a group of people at the time of her murder according to ABC News. Another teen was shot at the same time and he is listed in serious condition. The area where the group sought shelter from the rain is known as a popular "gang hangout."
Hadiyah Pendleton's smile will be remembered by her family and friends. They say that she was always smiling -- just an overall good kid.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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