It was a somber gathering in the Episcopal Church of Saint John the Evangelist on the 36th anniversary of the Cleveland Elementary school shooting, a tragedy that forever altered a community and the nation’s conversation about gun violence. 

On this gray January day, the mood was subdued, as if the memory itself weighed down those who came to remember. Speakers addressed the crowd with a quiet dignity, their words tinged with sorrow rather than fervor, reflecting the lasting pain of a moment in history that still casts a long shadow over Cleveland Elementary School and those who lived through that day in 1989. Their strong words taught the people that situations like these are something that is a serous matter and a real problem and experience nobody should have to go through.

On January 17, 1989, a gunman opened fire at Cleveland Elementary School 1.6 miles from Stagg High School, killing five children and wounding 32 others before taking his own life. The shooter, Patrick Purdy, 24, used a semiautomatic rifle to attack the schoolyard, where over 300 children, many of them refugees from Southeast Asia, were playing.

The five victims, all between the ages of 6 and 9, were shot without warning in the unprovoked attack. Purdy, who had a history of criminal behavior and mental health issues, later died by suicide at the scene.

In remembrance of this tragedy, the 36th anniversary was observed on January 17, of this year. The event was organized by Cleveland School Remembers, a group dedicated to honoring the victims and advocating for gun violence prevention. During the event, survivors and community members shared their personal stories and reflections from that day, emphasizing the lasting impact on their lives and the importance of continued efforts toward safety and healing.

Cleveland School Remembers and fellow advocate group Brady Works partnered to reduce violence and to bring about awareness of the impact of gun violence on the community. The groups are working with local and national groups to facilitate a reduction in violence.

At the event there were many speakers, poets and people of the community attending. Amy Lamarra, a student of Cleveland elementary and survivor of the attack wrote a poem on what she members of the event. The poem, called “35 years later” remembers a scared child’s point of view on the shooting. Her words were strong and held feelings and emotions that captured time of touched many hearts. “35 years ago /  outside our locked door / a monster hunted children in a twisted game of war.”

Becky Cameron, a speaker on gun violence and safety, told the audience that people need to understand the situations of the responsibility of having a firearm in a home. She gave advice on how to store it, keep it out of arm’s reach and basic advice and the problems that come along the way if the owner doesn’t do so. 

Stockton Poet Laureate Jazmine LaTour performed a poem named “Toy guns don’t teach us to run”. The poem carried a serious message to the audience about gun safety with passion and true meaning of one’s poetic talent. 

As Stockton remembers the 36th anniversary of the Cleveland Elementary tragedy, the pain of that day remains a somber reminder of lives lost too soon. LaTour’s poem was a call for change. “We live in a world were mental health is neglected, and gun rights are protected, enforcement is overlooked and while trafficking is repent.” The laughter of children silenced that morning still echoes in the hearts of those who survived, a call for reflection and a hope for a safer future.

for more images of the event, please click here https://staggonline.net/news/gallery-the-36th-anniversary-of-cleveland-elementary-school-memorial-held-at-episcopal-church-of-saint-john-the-evangelist/