A Panama-born U.S. citizen named Kenneth Darlington, identified as an American lawyer, has been arrested in Panama for reportedly shooting two individuals participating in an environmental protest on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the Chame District, where Darlington approached a group of protesters blocking the Pan-American Highway. After engaging in a verbal dispute with the attendees, he allegedly pulled out a pistol and, in the presence of journalists covering the protest, shot at the crowd. Abdiel Díaz Chávez, one of the victims, succumbed to the injuries at the scene, while the other, Iván Rodríguez Mendoza, was declared dead at a medical facility. Both victims were teachers, as reported by TVN. Darlington is now facing charges of aggravated homicide and illegal possession of firearms.
Before approaching the roadblock on a segment of the PanAmerican Highway in the Chame district, it is reported that Kenneth Darlington uttered the words “this ends here.” Subsequently, he engaged in a heated argument with a group of men, including the two victims. In the presence of numerous photographers and television crews covering the protest, Darlington allegedly shot and killed the two men.
According to Eliécer Plicett, a lawyer representing the victims, Darlington is facing charges of murder and illegal possession of a gun, as reported by TVN Noticias. However, local media has suggested that due to his age, Darlington might potentially avoid imprisonment.
For three weeks, protesters have been rallying against the Panamanian government’s agreement with a Canadian company to extend the operation of Central America’s largest open-pit copper mine in an environmentally sensitive area for another 20 years. Kenneth Darlington, residing in the exclusive Paitilla district of Panama City, found himself in traffic caused by demonstrators who had set up a roadblock about 55 miles west of Panama City.
Expressing his frustration, Darlington reportedly declared, “This ends today” to fellow passengers in his car. Video and images capture his confrontational approach as he engaged in a heated argument with the predominantly teacher-led group at the roadblock, armed with a handgun.
According to TVN, Darlington inquired about the leaders of the demonstration, insisting he only wanted to talk to men. When informed there were no specific leaders, he expressed his reluctance to engage with women. At the court hearing, it was revealed that a few men tried to intervene and calm the situation, as seen in footage leading up to the shootings. Three men approached Darlington, attempting to defuse tensions.
In response to taunts from protesters, Darlington allegedly retorted, “Do you want to be the first?” After remonstrating with the demonstrators, he opened fire. The initial victim, wearing a black t-shirt and carrying a flag, fell immediately, while the second victim, a man in a black t-shirt, staggered to the side of the road, holding his shoulder in pain.
Abdiel Díaz, one of the victims, died at the scene, while the other victim, Iván Rodríguez, 62, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Juan Vega Méndez clinic in San Carlos. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing protests against the mining agreement, adding a tragic turn to the environmental activism.