CHICAGO — Two men have been charged with murder in the March shooting of a girl on her 12th birthday, according to Chicago police.

In a news conference Tuesday, CPD Supt. David Brown said Malik Parish, 22, and Abdul Ali, 20, are both charged with one felony count of first-degree murder, among other charges.

“She had a whole life ahead of her and it was taken by senseless gun violence,” Brown said.

Police said they are still searching for a third suspect in the deadly shooting.

Abdul Ali, 20 (left) and Malik Parish, 22 (right) (Chicago police)

The shooting happened on March 1 on the 2300 block of West 72nd Place. According to police, the girl, identified as Nyzieya Moore, was inside a vehicle and on her way home from celebrating her 12th birthday, when gunshots were fired. Nyzieya was shot in the back of the head.

She was transported to the hospital, where she later died.

Police said surveillance video showed the offenders shooting at another vehicle, when Nyzieya and her family were driving by. Authorities add that the men fired more than two dozen rounds at the vehicle, driven by a rival gang member. 

“There’s an ongoing dispute in this specific area and when they saw this other car, these individuals felt this other car could be in the offending group, so they chose to fire at this separate car and the stray bullets hits this poor 12-year-old,” said CPD Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan.

Police said an anonymous tip led them to the arrests of both men, who have a criminal history.

“Parish, not surprisingly, is a convicted felon and has 11 total arrests,” Brown said. “Ali has had four prior arrests.”

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The offenders were in possession of a reported stolen vehicle when placed into custody, according to police.

Community activist Andrew Holmes said Nyzieya’s mother is grateful, though she continues to grieve.

“She wanted me to give thanks to the Chicago Police Department for working on this case even though their hearts are still broken,” Holmes said.

Parish and Ali are expected in bond court Tuesday.