Prosecutors say that on the day of Ms. Pendleton's murder, Mr. Ward and a friend, who has also been charged with murder, were driving around in a Nissan Sentra owned by Mr. Ward's mother when they passed the park where Ms. Pendleton and her friends were standing under a canopy to get out of the rain.

WSJ: Chicago Shooting Highlights a Common Path

Ward said he shot Pendleton, when he and Williams were out to get revenge on rival gang members, according to police.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Mr. Ward and Ms. Pendleton grew up just a few miles apart.

WSJ: Chicago Shooting Highlights a Common Path