Hadiya Pendleton, Chicago Teen Slaying: Gang Members Michael Ward, Kenneth Williams Charged in Tragic Shooting of Inaugural Performer [VIDEO]

Reports confirm that two young men (and alleged Chicago gang members) Michael Ward and Kenneth Williams were recently charged in the January shooting and murder of beloved teen, Hadiya Pendleton. According to police, the men mistook 15-year-old Pendleton and her friend as members of a rival gang who shot and injured Williams in the arm back in July. Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy stated that first-degree murder charges were filed against Ward (18) and Williams (20) on Monday, Feb. 11. Just this weekend, family and friends gathered to say goodbye to the young King College Prep High School honor student, who had just performed at President Obama's Inaugural events back in January.

Police described Ward and Williams as two "persons of interest" when they were taken into custody early Sunday. According to police Superintendent McCarthy, the men were arrested late Saturday evening on their way to a local strip club. The two later confessed to the crime, and admitted that Pendleton was definitely not the intended target.

"Ward confessed and indicated Hadiya was not the intended target. They got it all wrong," McCarthy said. Apparently, the two men were looking to gun down members of a rival gang who shot Williams back in July. McCarthy claims that Ward eventually told investigators that he was the gunman and Williams (who refused to cooperate with authorities after the July shooting) was driving the getaway car. Along with first degree murder charges, the men were handed down two counts of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, Pendleton was buried at the Greater Harvest Baptist Church on the South Side of Chicago. Among the grieving attendees was First Lady Michelle Obama.

As Mstarz originally reported:

The White House announced on Friday (Feb. 8) that although First Lady Obama is not expected to make any public remarks, she will be attending Pendleton's Saturday morning services in Chicago. President Obama and the couple's two daughters, Malia and Sasha, are not expected to attend. According to Michelle Obama's communications director Kristina Schake:

"As a mother and Chicagoan, the first lady was heartbroken to learn of the tragic loss of Hadiya Pendleton due to senseless gun violence. Too many times, we've seen young people struck down with so much of their lives ahead of them. The first lady is traveling to her funeral on Saturday to offer her condolences and support to Hadiya's family and loved ones."

According to ABC News, Pendleton was one of approximately 12 teenagers huddled under a canopy in the park after school in order to escape the heavy rainfall on Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 29). An unidentified man (Ward) then jumped a fence and ran toward the group of teenagers, sporadically opening gunshot fire. The shooter quickly fled the scene in a nearby vehicle (driven by Williams).

Pendleton was a Sophomore honor student who belonged to the Majorette dance team in the King College Prep High School band. She had the privilege to perform as a member of the band at several prestigious inaugural events in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. Pendleton was a well-liked student who was also a member of the Drill and volleyball team. Fellow students wore red to school on Wednesday (Jan. 30) in remembrance of their murdered classmate, and several took part in a prayer circle.

Pendleton's death comes just days after Obama (whose Chicago home is only a mile from the murder scene) announced plans to ban assault weapons as part of a drastic overhaul of gun laws.

Obama is scheduled to return to Chicago later this week to discuss gun violence after the State of the Union Address on Tuesday (Feb. 12).

According to the Huffington Post, homicides in Chicago topped 500 last year for the first time since 2008, mostly due to gang violence. McCarthy and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel believe that tougher gun laws must be enforced. Both authorities are currently pushing for tougher gun legislation that would increase the minimum sentences and require offenders to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences.

NBC News recently spoke to Pendleton's mother Cleopatra Cowley, who was "ecstatic" about the arrests:

"Look at what they've done to me and my family. We put so much work into raising my daughter. We had hopes. My son no longer has a big sister. They deserve to feel something that is remotely comparable. But my daughter is dead and even if they are rotting in jail, they will still be alive."