Michelle Obama to attend funeral for slain teen in Chicago
(CNN) - First lady Michelle Obama will attend a funeral service on Saturday for Hadiya Pendleton, the Chicago 15-year-old gunned down last week in a park, a White House official said Thursday.
An honor student and band majorette at Kings College Prep School, Pendleton was killed one week after performing in the festivities for President Barack Obama's inauguration.
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Michelle Obama will travel with Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan-all of whom lived in Chicago before moving to Washington.
Police told CNN affiliates that the teenager had no gang affiliation and likely was not the intended target.
The teenager was killed amidst a national debate over gun control legislation. White House spokesman Jay Carney described her death last week as a "terrible tragedy."
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How many more have to die before politicians start caring about the people and not the nazis at the NRA.
That's great.
And please show more class than Joe Biden and not make it a political issue for the assault rifle ban.
It might be OK to bring up the issues that DO lead to so much gun violence every day. Speak out (maybe) against the culture that glorifies guns, gangs, 'being Bad', etc.
This young lady was an example of what America's youth should aspire to, as you yourself are, Ms Obama. Not so the thugs making millions leading youth into gangs with their example.
Thanks Michelle. You are a great first lady. Our sympathies go out to this young lady who was killed by guns.
What an absolute tragedy the death of this beautiful young woman is. The tears flowed when I watched her speak up against violence on YouTube.
My thoughts and prayers to her family and her friends.
Rest in peace, sweet and gifted Hadiya. Your light still shines and inspires.
Lord have mercy.
May she rest in peace.
Very kindand thoughtful of the First Lady to attend.
what if it was a white child?
To the mayor of Chicago I suggest check again, are you doing all you can to stop the street violence? What a wonderful young lady she was, let the image she etched on this nation inspire action. Chicago consider your effort to stop this violence as worthless and change hardly trying to prevent more senseless death to trying much harder and with integrity and conviction please succeed.