One of the photos released by the White House after this week’s State of the Union address was a picture of President Barack Obama talking with the parents of Hadiya Pendleton, the 15-year-old who was gunned down in Chicago last month in a killing that has galvanized gun control advocates.
The president, according to the White House, spoke with Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton and Nathaniel Pendleton Sr. after the speech.
Obama’s words about Hadiya Pendleton were one of the most memorable moments of his speech, and her parents were guests in the first lady’s box.
This week two young Chicago gang members have been charged in connection with Hadiya’s death.