Hundreds Line Up To Mourn Slain Teen In Chicago by Carlos Walcott

Hundreds of mourners and dignitaries including first lady Michelle Obama packed the funeral Saturday for a Chicago honor student whose killing brought major attention to the nation's debate over gun violence. Hadiya Pendleton was an excellent student with dreams of going to college. She was said to also have a bright smile and big personality. Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed January 29th as she stood with friends at a park about a mile from President Barack Obama's Chicago home in the Kenwood neighborhood.Police say Pendleton was an innocent victim in a gang-related shooting. Michelle Obama met privately with her family. Obama, who grew up on Chicago's South Side, then accompanied the girl's mother to the open casket at the front of the Greater Harvest Baptist Church. Pendleton's death brought new attention to Chicago's homicide rate. It came in a January that was the city's deadliest in a decade. In 2012, Chicago recorded 506 homicides. Police have said the shooting appeared to be a case of mistaken identity involving gang members who believed the park,near Lake Michigan and north of the University of Chicago, was their territory. No charges have been filed. We really need to get this whole debate on gun violence together. Innocent people are dying because of irresponsible people with guns doing stupid stuff. Let's get it together..