An 11-year-old boy, identified as Callan, was shot and killed by his father, Giovanni Perez, 37, in an apparent murder-suicide on April 13 at Elko Regional Airport in Nevada.

According to According to a statement from the Elko Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shooting at 12:38 p.m. Upon arrival, they found that the father had shot his son inside an airport restroom and then took his own life near a ticket booth. The child was rushed to Northeast Nevada Regional Hospital, where he died from his injuries. A trip cut short in tragedy: Father and son were traveling when their rental car broke down outside of Winnemucca. They were towed to Elko to pick up another vehicle. According to police, they entered an airport restroom twice. It was during the second time that the attack occurred.

Following the incident, a specialized bomb disposal team inspected the family vehicle, finding no suspicious devices.

A child remembered for his talent and sensitivity

Callan's death has generated particular shock due to his recent history. The boy had won third place in an essay contest organized by the Merced County Office of Education in California, in which he expressed his admiration for his father. The contest sought to highlight the impact of fathers on their children's lives. A GoFundMe campaign, created to cover funeral expenses, describes Callan as "incredibly intelligent, funny, and kind," with "a wisdom beyond his years." As of Wednesday morning, the initiative had raised nearly $12,000 of a $13,000 goal. Family and friends have organized various tributes. One relative,Identified as Jil Chiesa, she shared that the boy's fourth-grade teacher plans to plant a redwood tree in his honor at the school. Classmates also decided to name a classroom pet—a guinea pig—after Callan. “He was so much more than this tragedy,” the fundraising campaign states. “He deserved more life, more laughter, and a future that was taken from him far too soon,” the Merced Sun-Star reported. Ongoing Investigation and Background: Authorities are continuing to investigate the details of the case, including the recent residence of the father and son. According to police, both had ties to Merced, California. It was also confirmed that a missing persons report was filed in Clovis last December, after which they were located a month later in Ogden, Utah. Authorities indicated that Giovanni Perez suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, allegedly related to his service in the U.S. Army, where he was reportedly deployed to Iraq. Furthermore, he was in the midst of a legal dispute with the maternal grandparents over custody of the child, and, according to police, was attempting to isolate the child from other relatives. So far, a clear motive for the crime has not been established. The child's paternal grandfather reported on social media that both will be buried at the Santa Nella Military Cemetery in California with full military honors. For her part, Callan's mother—who was separated from his father—stated that she maintained telephone contact with her son and was working to regain custody. KUTV.

Local authorities and the Merced school district called the incident an “unimaginable tragedy” and expressed their condolences to the family.

If you or someone close to you is experiencing an emotional crisis or suicidal thoughts in the United States, you can contact the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Line by dialing or texting 988, available 24 hours a day.