Memorial for 10-year-old boy killed by his father to be held in Merced
A memorial service for Callan Perez — the 10-year-old boy who was killed in a murder-suicide by his father in Elko, Nevada, in April — will be held May 16 in Merced.
The service will be held at Yosemite Church, 2230 E. Yosemite Ave, at 11 a.m., according to a Facebook announcement.
“Callan was truly a one-of-a-kind boy,” the announcement said. “He was wise beyond his years, with a pure love for people and critters alike. He was a friend to so many and a wonderful, loving Son, Grandson, Cousin, Nephew and Great-nephew to his family.”
Callan attended fourth grade at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Merced and was an avid reader.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate are asked to consider donating a new or gently used book to be added to the Luther Burbank School Library. Book donations will be welcomed at the memorial or can be donated directly to the school, the announcement said.
Callan was a big sports fans, so 49ers and or Yankees attire are welcome at the service, the announcement said.
Police in Elko say that on April 13, Giovanni Perez, 37, shot his son inside a bathroom at the Elko Regional Airport then killed himself.
According to police, Giovanni Perez served in the U.S. military and claimed he was suffering from PTSD.
He had been in a custody dispute with Callan’s maternal grandparents, Elko police said.
An online fundraiser has been created to raise money for the family of Callan to help pay for funeral expenses and a potential “legal fight ... against a system that failed him,” according to the posting on GoFundMe.
As of Wednesday morning, $15,411 has been raised of a goal of $16,000.
