PANAMA CITY, PANAMA: In a terrifying episode, American lawyer and professor Kenneth Darlington shot dead two environmental protesters who were obstructing a highway in Panama City.
On Tuesday, November 7, Darlington, 77, was taken into custody after he was filmed on camera approaching climate change protesters obstructing a Panama highway and fatally shooting two them.
At the conclusion of a two-hour hearing, Darlington was remanded in custody following his appearance before a court in the town of La Espiga on Wednesday afternoon, November 8.
According to TVN Noticias, Darlington is accused of murder and unlawful gun ownership by Eliecer Plicett, the attorney for the two victims, who were both teachers, per Daily Mail.
What did Kenneth Darlington do?
According to Newsroom Panama and Agence France-Presse, lawyer and professor Darlington is a dual citizen of the US and Panama.
He was allegedly driving along the Pan-American Highway in Chame — 55 miles from the capital city — on November 8, during the third week of the protest.
Unsettling video shows the gray-haired, glasses-wearing guy strolling up to the Pan-American Highway barrier, disputing with the protesters, and pointing his finger before grabbing a handgun and starting to fire.
Shortly after, the suspect — who was spotted standing in front of three men — opened fire, leaving one of the victims, Abdiel Díaz, dead at the scene, per The Times.
The second victim — Ivan Rodríguez, 62 — was taken to Juan Vega Méndez medical facility in the neighboring town of San Carlos and later declared deceased.
Another video saw the gunman being handcuffed and driven to a squad car, as well as people gathered around dead bodies on the road in the Chame neighborhood west of Panama City.
The incident occurred during the third week of protests over a significant mining contract that gives First Quantum Minerals, based in Canada, at least 20 more years to run the largest pit copper mine in the area.
According to reports, Darlington, who resides in Panama City's upscale Paitilla neighborhood, told other passengers as he got out of the car, "This ends today."
Born in the province of Colon, Panama, Darlington was trying to go back to the country's interior after running a few errands in La Chorrera when he hit the roadblock, as reported by local media.
The next court date for Darlington is November 15 in Panama City.
Kenneth Darlington was detained in 2005 for military weapons possession
According to NewsRoom Panama, Darlington was detained in 2005 following a raid in his Panama City residence for possessing multiple assault weapons, including an AK-47 and M-16 rifles.
Millions of people have watched the terrifying footage that shows attorney and professor Darlington shooting two eco-protesters who were obstructing the Panama roadway.
Several sources stated that because of his old age, Darlington, who was arrested at the scene, was likely to receive a home arrest sentence as opposed to a jail sentence.
Given that Darlington has a criminal past that dates back to 2005, the unconfirmed reports have incited fury.
The 77-year-old was later freed on bail after declaring that the military weapons were a collection.
Moreover, Darlington was allegedly connected to financier Marc Harris, who was found guilty of money laundering and tax evasion and sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2004.
A Facebook page purportedly belonging to the suspect stated that Darlington was a university teacher and attended Florida State University and Isae Universidad Panama.
