Nevada police report that 53-year-old Wendell Melton shot and killed his son, Giovanni on the morning of November 2, 2017.

People close to the murder victim including Sonja Jones, Giovanni’s former foster mom say part of the argument leading to the shooting was about the teen’s sexual orientation. 

Jones told 3 News,

“He hated the fact that his son was gay. Giovanni was abused physically and mentally and spiritually for many, many years. I’m sure that inside of his mind, he would rather have a dead son than a gay son.

I’m hearing his dad had caught him with his boyfriend before and pulled out a gun on him.”

“I hope they throw the book at him. I hope he never sees the light of day. I hope every day when he looks in the mirror, he sees his son’s face.”

Giovanni was a student at Coronado High School.

Melton, appeared in court in Nevada on Wednesday.  His next court appearance is scheduled for February 2020.

(Photos, screen grabs; via Back2Stonewall)