Obama Called Parents Of Teen Slain In Chicago

President Barack Obama called the parents of a 15-year-old Chicago girl who was gunned down this week at a South Side park, the family's pastor confirmed.

Rev. Courtney Maxwell of Greater Deliverance Temple said Obama made the call earlier this week.

Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon while hanging out with friends. News of her death sparked national outrage as legislators discuss gun reform and comparisons are drawn between local gun violence and the country's recent massacres.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced and despite a petition asking Obama to attend the girl's funeral, Maxwell said there is no word on a response.

In a news conference Friday, Supt. Garry McCarthy said police "have a lot of tips, but we need more help" to find Hadiya's killer. McCarthy said there is no surveillance video of the person who ran at Hadiya and her group of friends and opened fire.

Dozens of friends, parents and community members marched Friday afternoon from King College Prep High School to Vivian Gordon Harsh Park where the shooting occurred. Hadiya, an honor roll student with dreams of becoming a pharmacist or a journalist, was a member of the school band that performed at several inaugural events in Washington, D.C.

The reward for the capture of her killer has increased to $30,000 with the contribution of $6,000 from Pastor Roosevelt Watkins of Pastors United For Change

"We will meet you wherever you are!" Watkins said, urging anyone to speak up with information about the shooting.

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