It was, as usual, a hot and sunny July 4—Independence Day. Eight–year–old Jeffrey was excited about the annual parade. He wanted to see everything, and he wanted to see it now. But the parade wouldn't start until 10 o'clock. His mom Julia tried to keep Jeffrey in check. She made him clean his room and take the dog for a walk. When he finished those chores, she walked with him to the parade route, which extended about two miles along Sierra Madre Boulevard.