77-year-old professor and lawyer shoots protesters, leaving two dead
Kenneth Darlington, a dual national, records several judicial records such as carrying weapons and money laundering
CHAME, Panama — A protest on the Pan-American Highway turned tragic Tuesday when Kenneth Darlington, a 77-year-old lawyer and professor, opened fire on protesters, resulting in the deaths of an educator and the husband of a teacher. The incident has caused commotion and has intensified the debate around the demonstrations against a mining contract that have been taking place in Panama for the last two weeks.
The victims, Abdiel Díaz and Iván Mendoza, one was an educator and the other the husband of an educator from a school in the San Carlos district, were participating in a blockade in the well-known traffic artery when they were surprised by the gunshots that caused them fatal injuries. one in the neck and the other yet to be specified. The two people died, one at the scene of the event and the other at the San Carlos hospital.
Mr. Darlington, who apparently has dual nationality, American and Panamanian, was arrested on the spot by the authorities and is in police custody. He was armed with an automatic weapon when he fired the shot around 2:40 p.m., in the Chame sector, an area that has been the scene of continuous protests by teachers and other sectors of civil society.
This is not Darlington's first brush with the law. In 2005 he was arrested for possession of weapons of war, the report stated: "Among the weapons are two M-1 rifles, 10 pistols, a rifle, two revolvers, a shotgun and AK-47 and M-16 ammunition." , although he was later released on bail, claiming that the weapons were part of a collection. Darlington has also been linked to Marc Harris, a financier convicted of alleged money laundering.
The Public Ministry of Panama has initiated investigations into this act of violence, classified as a crime against life and personal integrity. Meanwhile, the community of Chame and the surrounding regions are in a situation of alert and fear about what this event could mean for public safety and the right to peaceful protest in the country.
The situation in Panama remains tense, as demonstrations against the mining concession continue and are now marked by this violent incident. Citizens and authorities are awaiting more information and the development of legal events against Mr. Darlington.