Teenager Who Performed At Obama’s Inauguration Ceremony Is Victim of Gun Violence

[cynatnite]

Less than two weeks ago, Hadiya Pendleton was leading her classmates in the King College Prep School Marching Band down Pennsylvania Avenue on the afternoon of President Obama’s second inauguration. It would be an opportunity of a lifetime for any 15 year old, but for Pendleton, it was her last. On Tuesday, she was gunned down in a park a few blocks from school on the South Side of Chicago, less than a mile from the first family’s home.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Pendleton and another classmate, a 16 year old boy, were both caught in the middle of a gang war. The boy was still in serious condition on Tuesday evening, but Pendleton did not survive:

Friends of the slain girl said King was dismissed early today because of exams, and students went to the park on Oakenwald–something they don’t usually do.

Friends said the girl was a majorette and a volleyball player, a friendly and sweet presence at King, one of the top 10 CPS selective enrollment schools. Pendleton performed with other King College students at President Barack Obama’s inaugural events.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/01/30/1514321/teenager-who-performed-at-obamas-inauguration-ceremony-is-the-latest-victim-of-chicago-gun-violence/

[joeybee12]

1. Boy, does this really suck...knr

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. It just never ends. Does it. This fucked up vicious cycle I mean. nt

[NYC_SKP]

3. Early release because of testing. FUCK testing, take care of the children!

So sad, and there's so much wrong in our cities, large and small, between gangs and poverty and decay and hopelessness.

Fucking testing.

Good grief.

[niyad]

13. I missed that part of the report--could you please indicate where that information is.

[datasuspect]

14. saw it on WGN morning news

channel 9 locally in chicago.

it was a broadcast report.

between 6:30 am and 7:30 am.

[niyad]

19. as we see regularly (and, most recently at sandy hook) what is given in a hurried "news" report

is not necessarily accurate. will wait to see whether confirmed or not.

[datasuspect]

20. keep in mind

the news is scrubbed and edited too.

i normally reach out to police department contacts to get the true story.

i don't know anyone in that district, so can't reach out.

[JimDandy]

63. Not sure why the above post was hidden...

The 2 suspects who killed her and were captured this week have in fact confirmed that they thought she was a gang member. How absolutely awful that she lost her life simply because she was at a place during the time her killers expected opposing gang members to be there. (hence the above: "in the wrong place, at the wrong time&quot

[Dpm12]

4. That's

fucked up. I hope those gun-toting conservatives are happy. Heartless bastards

[hack89]

5. I hope all those gang enabling drug users are happy too. nt

[datasuspect]

9. and the cops too

chicago cops are crooked as fuck

[Fumesucker]

16. As well as all the gang enabling drug prohibitionists

[baldguy]

21. Not to mention all those gang enabling gun dealers.

But of course we can never, ever, ever blame the guns.

[hack89]

23. We can blame many things - violence is a complex phenomena. nt

[baldguy]

25. And without access to guns, what are they going to do?

Shoot pills at one another?

[hack89]

28. We should ban heroin and cocaine to make it super safer.

take away their reasons to shoot at each other.

[baldguy]

37. Right, if we can't be 100% successful ending a social evil that means we can't do anything about it.

Let's decriminalize murder too, while we're at it. That would please the gun worshipers no end, wouldn't it?

[hack89]

41. I have no problem preventing criminals from acquiring guns

universal background checks, anti-gun trafficking laws, harsh penalties for gun crime. There is a lot we can do to prevent gun violence.

But my point was simple - the gangs will always have guns. If the cartels can smuggle drugs by the pallet load then handguns and ammo are not an issue.

[LanternWaste]

39. I imagine there are more reasons on heaven and earth Horatio that tempt people

I imagine there are more reasons on heaven and earth Horatio allow people reason to shoot at one another.

Unless of course, the heroin and cocaine at Sandy Hook ES wasn't super safe either...

[hack89]

42. Just pointing out that criminals will always have guns

I have no problem preventing criminals from acquiring guns - universal background checks, anti-gun trafficking laws, harsh penalties for gun crime. There is a lot we can do to prevent gun violence.

But my point was simple - the gangs will always have guns. If the cartels can smuggle drugs by the pallet load then handguns and ammo are not an issue.

[Starboard Tack]

50. Then why are you blaming drug users for what gun users do?

Is it because some drugs are illegal? If some guns were illegal, would you then start to blame gun users for drug overdoses?

You say "violence is a complex phenomenon". Do you think guns make it more, or less, complex? And whatever your answer to that is, what relevance does it have in terms of reducing gun violence?

[hack89]

51. Why do drug gangs exist other than to sell drugs to drug users?

this girl was caught in the middle of gang warfare. What are the odds that the dispute was over drugs? If there was no drug demand there would be no drug gangs.

Like I said, violence is complex with many factors.

There are many ways to reduce gang gun violence - universal background checks, crackdown on gun trafficking and other sources of illegal guns, long prison sentences for using a gun while committing a crime. We can also legalize drugs.

[Starboard Tack]

59. OK, looks like you've got it.

I can't argue with any of the following.
"There are many ways to reduce gang gun violence - universal background checks, crackdown on gun trafficking and other sources of illegal guns, long prison sentences for using a gun while committing a crime. We can also legalize drugs."

Now, how do we crack down on "gun trafficking and other sources of illegal guns" without accountability? All those illegal guns started out as legal guns. Obviously, the only way is to establish a national database and mandatory reporting system for lost and stolen firearms.

[baldguy]

53. Because Rule #1 of the gun worshipers handbook says: "Guns are never to blame."

[Starboard Tack]

60. I think there is a big difference between gun ownership and gun worship.

Admittedly, there are a few who probably worship guns, but most have them because they truly think they need them. A sad statement regarding society, but that's how it is. We need to find reasonable solutions and work toward reducing gun violence. We will not achieve that by calling all gun owners "worshipers", regardless of the temptation to do so.

[bettyellen]

7. you're going to hear how Chicago has strong gun control any minute now

[datasuspect]

10. not gun control - GUN BAN

it's illegal to own most guns in the City of Chicago. unless you're an aldercreature. or rahm - but his crib, his kids, his wife get 24-7 police service.

him and ed burke.

[NYC_SKP]

11. Then this event couldn't have happened.

Let's ban guns everywhere and then there won't be any more gun related deaths and injuries!

[datasuspect]

12. gang affiliated or not

gun report will get you a shitload of cops scampering about like little snot nosed children on xmas morning.

they love those calls.

[Flyboy_451]

27. Actually, no, we don't love those calls...

As much as many posters here love to use a broad brush to bash all cops, all you really display is your own bigotry.

While there are bad apples in any group, the vast majority of cops are very much like you and your neighbors, friends and family. They don't want to be involved in a gun fight any more than you do. The biggest difference is that we are willing to put ourselves in harms way trying to act as a barrier and defense against the violence in society. People like you seldom do more than sit at a keyboard and pontificate about the actions of those you know nothing about.

I have served in uniform for 17 years, and confronted violence head on more times than I can count. I have stood beside far too many graves of both fallen heroes and Victims of violence. Yet, every day I take a personal responsibility to use my abilities to try to affect change and act in defense of others.

Thank you so much for your words of support and encouragement. No thanks are necesarry, I'm just doing what you are either incapable of or unwilling to do.

JW

[Robb]

30. Cool. Do you get to shoot people?

I like cops. You however talk a power-hungry little man's game.

Part of the problem, you, not the solution. Sorry.

[Flyboy_451]

32. Do i get to shoot people??

Wow...you're either a really poor comedian or an immature simpleton. I'm not sure which.

As for power hungry, not hardly. I simply do a job that I am physically and emotionally capable of doing well. If I were power hungry I would do something like run for political office. Serving as a police officer with integrity has little to do with power. It's mostly about a sense of commitment to ones community and values. I value a society that has people willing to stand between its citizens and those who would seek to do them ill. I hold little appreciation for a society that is so blind that it can't see that evil does indeed exist, and therefor does nothing to try to counter it. That is the mark of a society doomed to failure, and my only hope is that it would come swiftly and spare the agony of as many as possible.

[zappaman]

33. Are we supposed to hate cops on this board???

Never got that memo.
Was it part of the DNC platform?

"I like cops"

Sure you do...


"You however talk a power-hungry little man's game."

[guardian]

52. Your post

is one of the most asinine and delusional things I have ever seen.

[derby378]

54. I think you jumped the shark, Robb

Today calls for hot chocolate. I recommend you grab a mug.

[Rex]

58. Seriously, it is not you.

I don't know why Robb thinks it is. The anger is focused on cops that kick innocent people in the head as they have a diabetic seizure in their car (but the cops think they are drunk and pull them out by force) and the whole thing is caught on camera. I am sure, as a LEO, you can understand that kind of anger at those that are suppose to protect us. That it is directed at law abiding LEOs, is a tragedy.

Maybe if cops self-policed better, these things would not happen.

Something else, nobody asked you to become a cop, just like at one time nobody asked me to become a soldier. You are right, no thanks are necessary since we were not forced to do anything against our will.

But I will thank you for 17 years of upholding the law.

I don't have to, but I will.

[Flyboy_451]

61. I understand the frustration and even some of the anger...

directed at LEOs. But, turn it around a bit and ask yourself if it sounds reasonable at all. Because of where I patrol on a daily basis (low income, largely minority, lots of gang activity) the vast majority, about 80% according to my records, of the people that I have professional contact with are black. Should I direct my frustration and anger at all black people? Should I not give them the same benefit of the doubt that I do to persons of other races? Should I treat them all as suspected criminals?

As I stated in my first post, the level of bigotry displayed by some of the members here is disgusting. Particularly when it comes to the issues of law enforcement and firearms, the hatred and bias flow like the Nile. As far as I am concerned, such people warrant less respect than the common criminal. At least the common criminal doesn't attempt to wear an air of moral righteousness.

Something else, nobody asked you to become a cop, just like at one time nobody asked me to become a soldier. You are right, no thanks are necessary since we were not forced to do anything against our will.

You are helping me to make my point here. You are right that nobody asked me to take on this career. That is exactly the point. I have chosen this life. The reasons are many, and some are quite personal, but I have chosen to DO SOMETHING, rather than simply cast about insults and bigotry in the spirit of the self proclaimed righteous.

As for self policing, we actually do a much better job of it than many presume. Consider that there are more than 3/4 million law enforcement officers in the U.S. While instances of police abuse, overreaching authority, and even brutality are not exactly unheard of, they still are not so common that they represent a significant percentage or portion of officers on the job. I do not make excuses for such behavior, just keep in mind that these men and women are frequently under tremendous stress. How common is it for the average person to loose their cool when stress mounts. How common is it for the average person to place themselves in a physically dangerous and emotionally charged situation, five days a week, eight hours a day? How well would they perform under similar stresses? There are two sides to every story.

Thank you for your service as well, Rex. I too, know what it is like to wear that uniform as well. I am fourth generation military and law enforcement both.

JW

[datasuspect]

6. CPS school closures will ensure there's more of this

when they start moving kids around from different gangs factions and moving them around among different schools.

[alp227]

15. I'd like right wingers to explain HOW they could've fired back in this ambush shooting.

Waiting...waiting...waiting...I read the comments section over at some Chicago news outlets and a certain other message board and see nothing but empty Democrat-bashing.

And I wonder how Obama will address her death.

[Taverner]

17. Words fail.....

[Initech]

18. Damn. Words fail me.

[Enrique]

22. Dick Durbin brought this up in the Senate hearing today

video is at link: Durbin relates the sotry of Pendleton, says that Chicago is awash in guns, six times worse, by one measure, than NYC.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/teen-girl-who-performed-at-presidents-inaugural-events-fatally-shot-on-chicagos-south-side/2013/01/30/82cbffbe-6ae5-11e2-9a0b-db931670f35d_story.html

[ecstatic]

24. Terrible. :'( RIP

These stories are so heartbreaking and hard to read, but I hope that the mounting tragedies will lead to real change.

[Liberal_in_LA]

26. sad.

[mucifer]

29. This made more news than the other 50 killings in Chicago in January. It's all sad.

[libodem]

31. Please no

OMG, the family and friends will be devastated. I don't know her and I am crushed. This kills my heart just like Travon. OMG!!!!!

[libodem]

34. Dear Rahm

Please get a grip on the violence in your city. It frustrates and angers me when I hear Republicans reference your city as a murder capital. Stop giving them fodder to bash you, and our President's city of origin. Make it STOP. Please!

[harrose]

35. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that this is a "message" sent by the Reich wing to the avg American

Participate in anything celebrating Obama, and you could be next.

[zappaman]

36. Tragic, but you post is ridiculous.

Really?

[harrose]

38. I'm not saying it definitely is so...

... but do you think it's *completely* out of the realm of possibility that the Reich wing is sending a message?

[zappaman]

40. Yes I do

And for you to use this tragedy to further your own bullshit is astounding and shameful.

[harrose]

46. Why do you think it's completely out of the realm of possibility?

You really think the RW is incapable of killing a little girl?

Again, I'm not asking you if they did, I'm asking you if you think it's utterly impossible.

[Lizzie Poppet]

47. Possible...but about as likely as aliens or the Illuminati.

There is every indication that this was "collateral damage" of gang-related violence. Want to reduce this kind of horror? End the stupid fucking War of Drugs.

[zappaman]

48. My, aren't you concerned.

Please take your bullshit somewhere else.

[Separation]

45. Yes, it is COMPLETELY OUT OF THE REALM that the "Reich wing" is sending a message.

She was in a school band that performed at the inaguration along with 1000's of other people. What message exactly are you recieving?

[Dreamer Tatum]

56. 7x that many Chicagoans were killed on Saturday.

What's your bullshit explanation for that?

[alcibiades_mystery]

43. ATF needs a 50 agent task force to stop the

Trafficking of guns from Indiana and Downstate Illinois into the South and West sides of Chicago. We all know what's going on: legal dealers and gun owners are getting rich off the illicit market, functioning as conduits to the gangs. Every single illegal gun used in the gang homicides starts as a legal gun, and is fed into the illicit market. There are simply not that many gun thefts. It is a systematic pipeline through which white "responsible" gun owners and dealers are getting rich on the murder of black and brown kids in Chicago. And then they have the nerve to laugh about it! Chicago alone can't solve these extra-jurisdictional and interstate conspiracies alone. We need federal enforcement that the NRA and their gun nut flunkies have struggled mightily to prevent by defanging the ATF.

Whenever a gun nut asshole screams that we should enforce existing law, ask why we don't have a sitting head of the ATF. They insist on enforcement in the same way they insist on research - because they have worked overtime for 15 years to prevent either from happening. They prevent enforcement by defanging the ATF, and prevent research by legislating its impossibility and threatening research institutions, then say "Where's the enforcement?" "Where's the research? Huh?" Bottom line: gun nuts are dishonest assholes, pretty much uniformly.

[The Magistrate]

49. Exactly, Sir

[Blue_Tires]

55. Yeah, that's one of the dirty secrets no one wants to address...

My state of Virginia was famous for being a huge supply pipeline for New York...Very, very profitable for everyone involved...

[marions ghost]

62. +++++ What a great post

You really said it al...wow.

A "systematic pipeline" with no teeth in any laws....

Yeah

[Uncle Joe]

44. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, cynatnite.

[Rex]

57. .