The teenage girl accused of shooting a fellow teen Monday afternoon appeared in court Tuesday to be arraigned on four counts of first degree murder.
Police say the 14-year-old John Hope High School freshman -- whose name was not released -- shot and killed 14-year-old Endia Martin in the 900 block of West Garfield Boulevard.
Police and prosecutors say the dispute between the two girls started over a boy and was fueled by comments on Facebook.
Assistant State's Attorney Kathleen Kain says the alleged shooter went to West Garfield with a large group and approached Martin. Kain says the suspect pulled out a gun and tried to fire, but the gun malfunctioned. Another person in the group fixed the malfunction, and the girl fired the gun, hitting Martin in the back, according to Kain. Another girl was also hit in the upper arm.
The gun used in the shooting, a legal .38-caliber revolver, was kept in the owner’s car but was reported stolen April 14, Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said. Police departments don’t let officers store their guns in their cars, but under the state’s concealed-carry law, individuals who are properly permitted can.
"How long have boys fought over girls and girls fought over boys, but you introduce a firearm and now you have a murder," McCarthy told reporters.
A 17-year-old male police say assisted in hiding the weapon was also charged late Tuesday in connection with the shooting. He faces charges of Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon, Unlawful Use of a Weapon/Possession of a Firearm by a Delinquent and Reckless Damage to Property.
The alleged shooter's uncle, 25-year-old Donnell Flora, supplied the murder weapon, authorities said.
Martin's father, Kent Kennedy, said Martin had been the recipient of threats.
"The little girl threatened my daughter the day before on Facebook. Today she saw my daughter standing around, and from what I heard, she approached her and gunned her down cold blooded," Kennedy told NBC Chicago shortly after his daughter was killed.
Grief counselors were available Tuesday at Tilden Career Community Academy High School, where Martin was a freshman. Friends there said the teen was small but full of energy and very enthusiastic.
The teen suspect's lawyer told NBC 5 that she is member of the school's leadership council and a student athlete.
If convicted of first-degree murder as a juvenile, the teen could face up to five years of probation or six years behind bars until her 21st birthday, whichever comes first.
