Parents of slain Chicago teen attend State of the Union

Updated 12:20 a.m. EST Feb. 13

(CBS News) CHICAGO -- Among the First Lady's guests at the capitol Tuesday for the State of the Union address were the parents of Hadiya Pendleton. The 15-year-old honor student was shot to death, not far from the Obamas' Chicago home -- an innocent victim of the city's gang wars.

Hadiya Pendleton

On Tuesday, two suspects were ordered held without bail.

Chicago detectives flooded the area of the city park where Hadiya was killed last month. They were led to the suspects using surveillance video and interviews with parolees in the neighborhood. Alleged gang members, Michael Ward, 18, who police say has already confessed, and Kenneth Williams, 20, were picked up on Saturday night and charged on Monday.

"They thought the group they shot into included members of a rival gang. Instead, it was a group of upstanding, determined kids, who -- like Hadiya -- were repulsed by the gang lifestyle," said Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

Hadiya's parents, invited to the State of the Union in Washington, were relieved.

Watch: Hadiya Pendleton's mother told reporters her daughter's death "cannot be in vain," below.

"I can't close the book on my child, but I am very excited that the murderers who hurt my baby have been caught," said Cleopatra Cowley, Hadiya's mother.

Ward, the alleged triggerman, has a long criminal record, but the police noted that when he pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a firearm about a year ago, he was given probation and stayed free despite three subsequent arrests.

"This has to stop. Gun offenders have to do significant jail time," said McCarthy.

Tom Byrne, Chicago's chief of detectives, said Illinois' gun laws are undermined by a lack of mandatory minimum sentences for gun violations.

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"If you get caught with a gun, and there's a minimum sentencing, you're gonna be off the streets for a while," Byrne said. "You're not gonna have the opportunity, within six months of being caught with a gun, to shoot somebody else."

If convicted in this case, the two suspects could face life in prison.

[excop1949]

an innocent victim of the city's gang wars...

I AM SORRY THE GIRL WAS MURDERED BY A VIOLENT GANG, BUT APPARENTLY THAT'S HOW LIFE IS IN CHICAGO...

[tsigili]

All of those gun laws in Chicago, did absolutely NOTHING to stop the violence there.

You have to change the people.......the tool is not the culprit.

[nativecc]

Why isn't there as much outrage towards gangs are there are towards guns? The stupidity about passing more restrictive gun laws is this, the 2 people that shot this young girl were both too young to legally posses a firearm, in a city that has the toughest gun laws in the country. They didn't purchase the guns legally or apply for a license. If you truly want to stop gun violence you need to address the real problem which is not a type of gun or how many rounds it will hold. It is the attitude of the shooters and lack of respect for the law. While I am all in favor of universal background checks, would it have made any difference at Sandy Hook or to Hadiya Pendelton?

[rwsmith29456]

Worthless scum thoughtlessly takes away a beautiful person and a promising life. They didn't want to be dissed buy their peers so they shot into a crowd of innocent kids. They are less than worthless. They are refuse that ought to be disposed of.

[rwsmith29456]

That is BY their peers.

[Heathhud]

The story about Hadiya is sad. It is always disappointing to hear of someone's life being taken away early especially when they are younger. I do find it odd that President Obama would grandstand the horrific accident considering Illinois already has some of the toughest gun regulations in the country. Seems distasteful to use a situation like this only for political gain. Eventually people are going to start looking at facts. My heart goes to the family and loved ones of Hadiya though.