(GoRealNewsNow.com) – Panamanian authorities have apprehended Kenneth Darlington, a 77-year-old American legal expert and academic, following his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of two environmental demonstrators who were obstructing traffic.
You can watch a video of what took place further down this post.
Darlington, a dual citizen of the United States and Panama, was captured on video as he confronted a group of protesters who had set up a blockade on the Pan-American Highway in the Chame district. The recording shows Darlington initially gesturing animatedly with his finger toward the activists before drawing a handgun from his pocket.
Appearing significantly disturbed, Darlington then proceeded to displace the flags and other items placed by the protesters on the barricade. The situation escalated, resulting in Darlington shooting two of the activists who did not comply with his demands to disperse.
The footage shows the immediate aftermath: one individual collapses to the pavement, while the other is seen clutching their shoulder. One protester, identified as Abdiel Diaz, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and Ivan Rodriguez succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at the hospital, as reported by DailyMail.
For the past three weeks, the Pan-American Highway has been a focal point for demonstrators, primarily due to a contentious mining agreement that permits First Quantum Minerals, a Canadian enterprise, to extend its operations in the vicinity’s primary copper excavation site for approximately two additional decades.
The New York Post reports that the demonstrations have prompted substantial economic setbacks, with estimated losses of $80 million daily for local businesses and disruptions leading to the closure of educational institutions nationwide for over a week.
In the wake of the incident, the President of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, took to Twitter to extend his sympathies to the bereaved families of the activists, emphasizing that such acts of violence are intolerable in Panama.
Furthermore, Darlington is reported to have had prior encounters with law enforcement and is alleged to have been previously convicted of illegal firearm possession, as detailed by DailyMail.
🚨JUST IN: MAN ARRESTED AFTER FATALLY SHOOTING 2 CLIMATE ACTIVISTS IN PANAMA
An elderly American, Kenneth Darlington, 77, was arrested in Panama after he was caught on camera walking up to environmental protesters blocking a Panamanian highway and fatally shooting two of them.… pic.twitter.com/noHvvcuIRV
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 9, 2023
