Father Reported PTSD, Custody Dispute Preceded Deadly Murder-Suicide at Elko Regional Airport
A tragic murder-suicide at Elko Regional Airport has left a father and his 11-year-old son dead, with authorities revealing new details about the circumstances leading up to the incident.
According to the Elko Police Department, 37-year-old Giovanni Perez, a military veteran who reportedly suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), was involved in an ongoing custody dispute with his son’s maternal grandparents prior to the shooting.
Investigators said Perez and his son, Callan, were traveling toward Reno when their vehicle broke down near Winnemucca and was later towed to the airport. The incident unfolded inside the airport terminal, where both were found after reports of gunfire.
Authorities confirmed that Perez was found deceased near the ticket counter, while his son was located in a restroom and later died at a hospital after being transported for emergency treatment.
Police noted that Perez had previously cited PTSD related to his military service and was also engaged in a contentious custody dispute involving his son. Officials added that he had been attempting to keep the child away from both maternal relatives and portions of his own family.
“We still do not have a motive for this horrific incident, and may never know how or why Callan’s life was taken too early,” investigators said in a statement, adding that the case remains under review as they continue to examine Perez’s background and military history.
The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation as authorities work to piece together the events that led to the tragedy at the Nevada airport.