A motorist who shot dead two environmental protesters blocking a road in Panama on Tuesday is a retired American lawyer, it has been revealed.
Kenneth Darlington, 77, appeared before a judge in the town of La Espiga on Wednesday afternoon, and after a two-hour hearing was remanded in custody.
According to local media, the Panamanian-born US citizen - who was seen in both video and pictures shooting dead two teachers blocking a road on a highway - has a previous conviction for illegal possession of a firearm.
It is understood he declared ‘this ends here’ before walking up to the road block on a section of the Pan-American Highway in the Chame district and getting into a heated argument with a group of men that included the two victims.
In front of a large number of photographers and television crews there to film the protest, he then gunned down the two men.
Eliécer Plicett, a lawyer for the two victims, said Darlington was being charged with murder and illegal possession of a gun, TVN Noticias reported. However, local media has reported he could avoid jail time because of his age.
Thank you. If this had been in Florida the headline would have been something like “Patriotic citizen eliminates Disney funded Eco-terrorists at illegal roadblock. Supreme Court rules communication via bullet is a form of free speech and protected by the 1st and 2nd amendments.”