Michael visits Cleveland Elementary School - February 7th, 1989

Febbruary 7, 1989. Michael visited the ‘Cleveland Elementary School’ in Stockton, California, where a week earlier a 25-year-old former student, Patrick Edward Purdy opened fire in the school’s playground, resulting in the death of five children and the wounding of 39 others. Many of those present reported that Michael’s visit helped them to feel safe again. The head of the schools “victim witness program” Diane Batres remembered the visit: “It was very kind of him to come. He bought truckloads of gifts and held children in his arms. He was genuinely concerned and expressed his sorrow.” After his visit, Michael went to the nearby Central United Methodist Church, where there were children who had been injured, but who were not yet ready to return to school. After seeing the children there, Michael went to San Joaquin General Hospital, where, once again, he brought gifts, signed autographs and shared a joke and discussions with both staff and patients. Thahn Tran was an 8 year old student of the school and lost his brother in the shootings. He was present on the day that Michael visited and remembered; “I didn’t want to go back to school, but after Michael came, I thought the world was safe again, it’s possible to dream and there is hope, after all.”