ELKO, Nevada — Investigators believe a man shot his son before shooting himself in a deadly incident at the Elko Regional Airport Monday, police said.
Just after 12:30 p.m., Elko police were called on a report of an active shooter at the airport. When officers arrived, they located a deceased male near the ticket counter, who was identified on Tuesday as Giovanni Perez, 37.
"The shooting was near the check-in area," Elko Police Lt. Shane Daz said.
Bystanders directed officers to the airport restroom area where 11-year-old Callan Perez was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Daz said. First responders began administering medical aid and took the boy to a hospital, where he died shortly after arriving.
Investigators learned Perez and his son were traveling together when their rental vehicle became disabled near Winnemucca, Nevada. They were towed to Elko to get another vehicle, then entered the airport restroom and came out.
"They then entered the restroom a second time together, where Giovanni shot Callan for an unknown reason. Giovanni exited the restroom and shot himself near the ticket counter," Daz said.
During the investigation, an Elko Bomb Squad checked the scene and Perez's vehicle for explosives, but nothing was found.
The airport was closed on Monday, affecting both inbound and outbound flights, but the airport is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
"The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing. The Elko Police Department would like to express our deepest condolences to the family of Callan Perez. No family should ever have to experience a loss like this," police said.
