A retired lawyer has been arrested after he allegedly shot dead two environmental protestors who were blocking a road.
Kenneth Darlington, 77, opened fire on climate activists in broad daylight in Panama after being stuck in traffic due to the demonstration.
Protestors have been taking to the streets over the last month in opposition to a controversial mining contract.
Advert
The government intend to keep the country's largest open-pit copper mine in a sensitive environmental area running for at least another 20 years.
Crowds of campaigners have reportedly been blocking the Pan-American Highway in Chame for around three weeks.
Disturbing footage shared on social media shows Darlington calmly exiting his vehicle and strolling up to protestors.
He then begins to demand the group move out of the road, before retrieving a handgun from his pocket.
Advert
The grey-haired pensioner is seen waving the weapon in the air while yanking tyres that were obstructing the route out of the way, in full view of TV crews and photographers.
Reports claim Darlington had told passengers in his car that 'this ends today'.
Witnesses claim the gunman was asked by protestors: "Are you going to kill someone?"
Advert
Darlington is alleged to have chillingly replied: "You want to be the first?"
He then opened fire on the demonstrators, shooting two teachers dead as bystanders screamed in horror.
Local media claims the first bullet fatally struck Abdiel Diaz, who was holding a Panama flag. He immediately fell to the ground and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ivan Rodriguez, who is also a teacher, then went to confront Darlington and was shot in the shoulder.
Advert
He was sadly pronounced dead on arrival at the Juan Vegas Mendez clinic.
A third man was also injured, according to reports, and currently remains in hospital.
After the deadly shooting, Darlington then began dragging tree trunks that were obstructing the road out of the way.
Advert
He is said to have then attempted to walk off before he was arrested at the scene by police.
The former lawyer's girlfriend reportedly told him 'we are not leaving' after he nonchalantly climbed back into the car.
Video shared online shows the moment he was led away in handcuffs by cops as demonstrators sobbed on the roadside.
The pensioner - who was born in the Panama province of Colon - then said: "That ends that problem."
Darlington appeared before a court in the town of La Espiga on Wednesday and was remanded in custody.
Eliecer Plicett, a lawyer for the two victims, said the 77-year-old was charged with murder and illegal possession of a gun.
Local media claim he has already has a previous conviction for illegal possession of a firearm.
Shockingly, he could avoid any jail time due to his age and may instead be put on house arrest.
Topics: Crime, Environment, US News, World News, News
Olivia Burke