In 1987, nine-year-old Eric Coy was living with his parents and older brother in a central neighbourhood of Martinez, Northern California.

Most Saturdays Eric played with his cousin Eddrick, who was also his best friend. Eddrick only lived a five-minute bike ride away from Eric. They often hung out after school and on the weekends, tossing baseballs and footballs and climbing trees.

They did what all the local kids did; got ice cream or sweets at the store in between their houses, and while away the hours riding their bikes and mucking around, staying out most of the day. Close to Eddrick’s house was the youth ‘boys & girls club’ where kids from all over went to hang out, often playing basketball on the courts out the back.

As the weekend rolled around one would phone the other’s house to see if they could play, and on Saturday, January 24th, 1987, that’s exactly what Eric did. Just before 11 am that day, he phoned his aunty Angela to see if he could visit and play with Eddrick. At first, she said he couldn’t come over but then changed her mind and said yes.

At 10:55 am, Eric got on his bike and set off to Eddrick’s house. There was a shortcut through Martinez Junior High at the bottom of his street. It was raining a little and he wanted to get to his cousin’s house quickly – so he took the shortcut.