Activists shot by 77‑year-old man at Panama highway protest

Two environmental activists were shot on a highway in Panama by a 77-year-old man attempting to bypass a demonstration blocking traffic. The man got out of his car to shoot them at point-blank range.

A disturbing video uploaded on the internet shows the elderly man casually approaching the blockade on the Pan-American Highway, as informed by LBC Station. During an argument with the protestors, the man brandished a gun and shot at them at close range.

Another video featured people gathered around bodies on the road in the Chame District, west of Panama City. The arrest of the suspect was also captured. As per LBC reports, the suspect, identified as Kenneth Darlington, is a 77-year-old lawyer and professor with dual citizenship—American and Panamanian.

Darlington allegedly stated, "It ends here," before approaching the roadblock and getting into a heated argument with a group of men. In view of photographers and TV crews covering the protest, he fired shots killing two men. Following the incident, the 77-year-old was temporarily arrested.

Panama's President, Laurentino Cortizo, extended his condolences to the bereaved families. According to LBC reports, the highway demonstration was among several others that have unfurled across Panama in recent weeks, causing part paralysis of the country.

The activists demonstrated against the operations of an open-pit copper mine in the jungle. The road blockades resulted in company losses which amounted to $80 million per day. Moreover, schools across the country were also shut down for a week.