SPARKS, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- We now know that one of the 12 people who died in Friday morning's theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado was a 26-year-old military veteran who grew up right here in Northern Nevada.
Jonathan Blunk's family sat down with News Four this afternoon to tell their story.
Blunk left behind his wife Chantel, four-year-old daughter Hailey and two-year-old son Maximus when he was killed in the colorado theater shooting.
He was supposed to come home to Reno for a visit Saturday.
"He was supposed to fly in today," Chantel said. "Our daughter made him a welcome home poster."
"She woke up ready to go pick daddy up from the airport," said Elizabeth Ramirez, Chantel's mother. "She's telling mommy let's call daddy and tell him I'm going to be at the airport waiting for him."
"I tried to explain that daddy's not coming anymore," Chantel said. "I don't want to believe it. I feel like if I do let go it's a reality and I don't want it."
Instead of seeing her husband today Chantel is remembering him.
"He was very hardworking," Chantel said. "He wanted to be nothing but a hero. He wanted his kids to look up to him. He always said if he was ever going to die he wanted to die as a hero."
So she wasn't surprised to hear her husband died trying to save someone else's life.
"Everyone will tell you it sounds just like him," Chantel said.
"I'm mad about that too, not being there with a girl but when she called me personally it was a whole different story what she told on the news," Chantel said. "She told me she got up and left him. She needed to clear her conscience and tell me she never looked back. She never checked on him. And I even said 'how could you leave him? You said on the news you loved him. You don't leave someone you love.' He would have never left. Even if it was his worst enemy he would have never left. That's the kind of guy he was."
He was a hero, and now Chantel is trying to get him a heroes memorial.
"I have all his soldier friends, whether they're still in or not, contacting me to find out what they can do to help bring him home and have his military burial which he deserves," Chantel said.
Chantel also told News Four because Jonathan wasn't currently on active duty the military won't cover the costs for his funeral or transportation home. The family has an account set up with Wells Fargo to help bring Jonathan home to Reno to be buried with military honors.
If you'd like to help you can donate in the name of Chantel Blunk to Wells Fargo account #8966815063.
