Monday, February 11, 2013

Pastor: Chicago teen face of violence epidemic

FILE - This undated file family photo provided by Damon Stewart shows 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton of Chicago who was was shot Jan. 29, 2013 while she talked with friends in a park about a mile from President Barack Obama?s Chicago home. First Lady Michelle Obama will join some of Illinois? most recognizable politicians and clergy to mourn the 15-year-old honor student whose death has drawn attention to staggering gun violence in the nation?s third-largest city. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Damon Stewart, File)

FILE - This undated file family photo provided by Damon Stewart shows 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton of Chicago who was was shot Jan. 29, 2013 while she talked with friends in a park about a mile from President Barack Obama?s Chicago home. First Lady Michelle Obama will join some of Illinois? most recognizable politicians and clergy to mourn the 15-year-old honor student whose death has drawn attention to staggering gun violence in the nation?s third-largest city. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Damon Stewart, File)

A Chicago police officer guard as the remains of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton arrive at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church for funeral services Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Chicago. The shooting death of the 15-year-old honor student has drawn attention to the staggering gun violence in the nation's third-largest city. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

First lady Michelle Obama, left and White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett arrive for the funeral for Hadiya Pendleton at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Chicago. The shooting death of the 15-year-old honor student has drawn attention to the staggering gun violence in the nation's third-largest city. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Father Nathaniel Pendleton, left, his son Nathaniel Jr. and mother Cleopatra Pendleton, right, arrive for the funeral of their daughter and sister Hadiya Pendleton at the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Chicago. The shooting death of the 15-year-old honor student has drawn attention to the staggering gun violence in the nation's third-largest city. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Mourners wait outside the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church for the funeral service of Hadiya Pendleton Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Chicago. The shooting death of the 15-year-old honor student has drawn attention to the staggering gun violence in the nation's third-largest city. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

(AP) ? A prominent Chicago pastor is remembering a slain 15-year-old girl as the face of an "epidemic of violence causing funeral processions around the country."

Father Michael Pfleger spoke at Hadiya (hi-DEE'-uh) Pendleton's funeral Saturday, telling a packed South Side church that "we must become the interrupters of funeral processions."

Pendleton was a band majorette and honor student who was shot and killed on Jan. 29, just a few days after performing for events surrounding President Barack Obama's inauguration.

Police say Pendleton was an innocent victim in a gang-related shooting.

First lady Michelle Obama, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel were among dignitaries attending the funeral.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-02-09-Chicago%20Violence-Funeral/id-c7a635f764e248cd8d0cd4163555b276

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