PANAMA CITY, Panama – A tragic incident unfolded at a rural campus of the University of Panama, where an unidentified gunman opened fire on a group of students, resulting in one fatality and one injury. The shooting took place at the university’s agricultural sciences regional center in Veraguas, located about 155 miles southwest of the capital.
University Rector Eduardo Flores C. revealed that the students were engaged in field work when the gunman attacked without warning. The director of the regional campus, Pedro Samaniego, though not a witness to the shooting, was present on campus at the time.
Samaniego recounted that the assailant targeted a group of six first-year students, firing upon them as they attempted to flee the scene. Tragically, one student lost their life on the spot, while another sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape. The gunman managed to evade capture by hopping over a fence and fleeing.
Following the harrowing incident, the wounded student was rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that no suspects were in custody at the time, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the regional prosecutor’s office confirmed that it had launched an investigation into the homicide on the university campus. A university spokesperson also acknowledged the shooting, indicating that further details would be provided as the situation unfolded. The community at the University of Panama was left reeling in the wake of the senseless violence that transpired on the premises.