An 11-year-old boy was fatally shot in the restroom of a major international airport. Emergency responders hurried to Elko International Airport in Nevada after reports of an active shooter. The victim, Callan West Perez, sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the restroom and was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Upon arrival at the airport on April 13, authorities discovered a deceased man near the airline ticket counter and the young boy critically injured nearby. Despite medical efforts, Callan could not be saved. Law enforcement later confirmed the deceased man as Callan’s father, Giovanni Perez. Investigators revealed that the father and son had been traveling together and were at the airport to make alternative arrangements after their car broke down in Winnemucca, Nevada.
In a poignant message, the grieving family described Callan as intelligent, humorous, and kind-hearted, emphasizing his compassionate nature. They set up a GoFundMe page seeking assistance during this tragic loss, highlighting the devastating impact of the incident on their lives.
According to authorities, the father and son entered the restroom together, left briefly, and then returned before the shooting occurred. The father then exited the restroom and fatally shot himself near the ticket counter. Following the incident, bomb squad officers inspected the vehicle associated with the pair as a precaution, finding no explosives.
The traumatic event at Elko International Airport caused significant disruptions with flight operations temporarily halted before normal services resumed the next day. Callan’s family is now seeking donations to cover funeral expenses and potential legal actions, aiming to seek justice for the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Elko police disclosed that Giovanni Perez was engaged in a custody dispute with Callan’s maternal grandparents and was facing PTSD from his military service.