Two men charged in fatal shooting of Kansas City 6-year-old

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Prosecutors charged two Kansas City men Wednesday in the drive-by shooting death of 6-year-old Angel Hooper, reports CBS affiliate KCTV.

Howard Chase IV, 19, and LeAndre Smith, 21, each face charges of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

Angel was shot in the head on the night of Oct. 17, as she held her father's hand while leaving a Kansas City convenience store. The suspects didn't know either Angel or her father, according to court documents.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Baker said the shots were fired from a passing white Pontiac Grand Prix and were intended for someone else.

"That bullet was not meant for this 6-year-old Angel Hopper, but she remains one of Kansas City's most tragic homicide victims," Baker said during a news conference outside her office.

Court documents indicate that the occupants of the white Pontiac Grand Prix were firing at two people inside a stolen black 1997 Mazda. That vehicle was later found abandoned and riddled with bullets.

The shootout allegedly stemmed from a fight between two females, one of whom was Chase's cousin.

Both Smith and Chase denied any knowledge of Angel's death, according to court documents.

Chase allegedly told a witness that he destroyed the weapons involved in the shootout at the convenience store.

"They won't find them, they are gone. Melted," Chase is quoted in court documents as telling a witness.

Baker is requesting that a judge not allow the men to make bond. They are expected to make their first court appearance Thursday.

Charity Guinn, Angel's mother, who has become an outspoken advocate against violence, declined comment on Wednesday.

Angel's cousin, Ashley Newson, said the arrests bring closure, "but it'll never erase the pain."

"She's not going to be at Thanksgiving dinner, or Christmas dinner, or celebrating her 7th birthday that's coming up," Newson said.