The cousin of slain Chicago teenager Hadiya Pendleton said Friday it's only a matter of time before the girl's killer is arrested.
Speaking to reporters before walking into the Calahan Funeral Home on the city's south side, Shatira Wilks said she believes the ballooning reward money will eventually turn up a lead.
"It went from $1,000 to $40,000 in a matter of five days. For me, that is no longer a reward. It is considered a bounty," Wilks said outside the funeral home on the 7000 block of South Halsted Street.
"Whoever is housing this individual and sheltering them and feeding them, I think that they're just looking for a way to compromise their guilt because I know that they're going to turn this person in. I just believe it. Some people are selfish and it may appear to be a lottery ticket. I don't know. But I believe that they will be turning them in," she said.
Pendleton was killed last Tuesday at Kenwood Park on the city's South Side days after she performed at some of President Barack Obama's recent inauguration festivities.
Police Supt. Garry McCarthy a week ago said his officers were investigating "a lot of leads" and getting a "ton of tops" from the community about the case.
"Fortunately, the community is stepping up and giving us everything that they've got, from rumors to whatever they know," McCarthy said. "Something's gonna pan out."
First Lady Michelle Obama was scheduled to attend Saturday's funeral service at the Greater Harvest Baptist Church. Sources told NBC Chicago, however, that she is not slated to speak.
