Three deaths cast a pall over Chiriquí during tragic weekend

Three separate deaths brought a tragic weekend to Panama’s Chiriquí province, including a child killed in a hit-and-run, a girl swept away by a stream and a man shot in a parking area.

The first incident occurred Sunday night on the road from Alanje to La Barqueta beach, in Guarumal. A 12-year-old boy riding a bicycle was struck by the driver of a 4x4 vehicle. The driver fled, and the boy died at the scene. Authorities began investigating the crash and searching for the person responsible.

In another incident, a 10-year-old girl with an autism-spectrum condition left her home and walked toward a stream nearby. The current swept her away. Relatives and neighbors found her in a shelter, but emergency responders from SUME-911 and Panama’s fire service could not revive her. Sinaproc regional director Mónica Acosta urged families to follow safety guidance during the rainy season and pay particular attention to people with special needs.

In Bugaba district, a 32-year-old man was shot while inside his vehicle in a parking area in Concepción. Two people on a motorcycle reportedly arrived and opened fire. The victim was taken to a hospital in Bugaba, where he later died. Panama’s National Police, the Public Ministry and the Judicial Investigation Directorate opened a homicide investigation. Authorities have not ruled out a link to disputes between rival gangs operating in the area.

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The public should follow the entity’s recommendations, especially parents and relatives, and remain attentive to people with special conditions to prevent them from being exposed to risky situations.