Horror as son, 11, shot dead in airport bathroom by his own dad | World | News
Callan Perez was found with fatal gunshot wounds (Image: Jam Press)
A boy was shot and killed by his own father in an airport restroom. Giovanni Perez killed his 11-year-old son before turning the gun on himself on Tuesday, April 14.
Police arrived at the scene at Elko Regional Airport in the US state of Nevada at around 12.38. However, 37-year-old Giovanni Perez was found dead near the airline ticket counter. Her son Callan was found dead in the bathroom a few minutes later. Emergency services took him to the hospital, but he died from the gunshot wound.
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As reported by SunDetectives said the father and son were driving to the area when their rental car broke down. They then retreated to the airport where the shooting occurred to pick up another vehicle.
It has since been confirmed that there is an ongoing custody dispute over the child’s maternal grandparents. Police said Perez, who reportedly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder related to his time in the U.S. military, tried to keep Callan away from relatives on both sides of the family.
Police said in a statement: “We still have no motive for this horrific incident and we may never know why Callan’s life was taken.” Police added that their “hearts go out to the family.”
Callan’s family described him as ‘incredibly smart, funny and kind’ (Image: Jam Press)
Callan’s family has since GoFundMe page in memory. The fundraiser, which aims to give the boy “the farewell he deserves and support his grandmother and the rest of his family during this devastating time”, has raised almost $14,000 (£10,400) so far.
It reads: “Our sweet Callan West Perez, just 11 years old, was taken from us by the hands of someone who was supposed to protect him. There are no words that can truly describe the pain, confusion and heartbreak we are all feeling right now. Callan was so much more than this tragedy.”
“She was incredibly smart, funny, and kind; she was way beyond her years. She had such a big heart and such a sweet soul, not to mention a smile that lit up every room she walked into. She deserved so much more life, so much more laughter, and a future that was stolen too soon.”
A GoFundMe page has been created in memory of the child (Image: Jam Press)
‘Father of the Year’
Although Callan was not enrolled in school this year, he had previously attended Luther Burbank Elementary School in Merced. The school called his death “an unimaginable tragedy.”
In a haunting detail, it was revealed that Callan had come third in the school essay competition titled “Father of the Year” last year. In the competition, students were asked to write about what fatherhood means to them.
Approximately 100 children participated in the competition organized by the Merced County Department of Education. The entries were then celebrated at the annual fatherhood event.
