CHICAGO (CBS) — Two people are in custody and being questioned about the murder of Hadiya Pendleton.
Police spokeswoman Melissa Stratton confirms for Newsradio: “Two persons of interest are in custody and the investigation remains ongoing.”
The two suspects — ages 18 and 20 — were taken into custody very early Sunday morning. Both suspects are adult males and were arrested near 67th and South Chicago Avenue.
The victim’s family is not getting their hopes up until charges are formally filed, Shatira Wilks, Hadiya’s cousin, told reporters Sunday.
“It is comforting to know that one less killer is off the streets possibly,” she said.
Police have 48 hours to hold the suspects pending charges from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
Stratton also confirmed that Mayor Rahm Emanuel called the mother of Hadiya Pendleton on Sunday to inform her of the arrest.
Hadiya was gunned down on Jan. 29 in Vivian Gordon Harsh Park on the 4400 block of South Oakenwald Avenue, as she and about a dozen schoolmates were sheltering themselves from the rain under a canopy. About a week before the shooting, Hadiya had performed with the school band at President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
