Two environmental protesters were fatally shot by Kenneth Darlington, a 77-year-old man, as they blocked a highway in Panama. Darlington, a retired lawyer and professor, was taken into custody. The victims were protesting a mining contract. Tom Malley reported
Two environmental activists were brutally murdered by an armed man named Kenneth Darlington as they protested against mining activities on a highway in Panama. This shocking incident, which was captured on video, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of environmentalists.
Kenneth Darlington, a 77-year-old man with dual US and Panamanian citizenship, has been identified as the perpetrator of this heinous crime. He was taken into custody immediately after the incident. Reports from NewsRoom Panama reveal that Darlington has a criminal history dating back 18 years. In 2005, he was arrested for possessing assault weapons during a raid on an apartment in Panama City. Although he claimed that the weapons were part of a war collection, he was released on bail. Darlington was also linked to a convicted money launderer named Marc Harris in the United States.
Darlington, a retired lawyer and professor, had a presence on Facebook where he mentioned his educational background and work experience. According to his profile, he studied at Florida State University and Isae Universidad Panama and worked as a university teacher.
The Panama shooting took place on the Pan-American Highway in Chame, located 51 miles from Panama City. The protesters, believed to be a group of teachers, had blocked the highway to demonstrate against a controversial mining contract that allowed First Quantum Minerals, a Canadian company, to operate Panama’s largest copper mine. Darlington, who was driving along the road, was forced to stop due to the blockades. In a moment of confrontation, he got out of his car and approached the protesters, attempting to negotiate the removal of the blockades. However, failing to reach an agreement, he resorted to violence and fired at least two shots at close range, killing two individuals.
Video footage of the incident shows a man in a black t-shirt engaging in a heated argument with Darlington before the camera cuts. Moments later, the same man is seen lifeless on the ground. Another protester confronts Darlington and is shot as well, seen hobbling away before eventually collapsing. The police swiftly arrested Darlington without any resistance, and he was later seen under their supervision with one hand cuffed to a pipe.
The victims of this senseless act have been identified as Abdiel Diaz, a teacher and union activist, and Ivan Mendoza. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through the environmental and activist communities in Panama and beyond. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of individuals who stand up against harmful mining practices and fight for environmental conservation.
The tragic Panama shooting serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by environmental activists and the urgent need for stricter measures to protect them. It highlights the importance of creating a safe environment for peaceful protests and ensuring that individuals like Kenneth Darlington face appropriate legal consequences for their violent actions..