In a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence, Gilberto Hernandez, a rising star in Panamanian football, was tragically shot and killed by two assailants in the city of Colón. The 26-year-old defender, who also played for Club Atletico Independiente, lost his life in an attack that left seven others injured.
Gilberto Hernandez had been spending time with friends near his mother’s residence when the attackers, who arrived in a taxi, opened fire, resulting in fatal wounds. This devastating turn of events, described as a cruel twist of fate by Panamanian Soccer Federation President Manuel Arias, underscores the harsh reality of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This incident adds to the troubling statistics of violence that have plagued Colón, where more than 50 lives have been lost this year alone. Situated at the northern entrance of the Panama Canal, the city has become a battleground for rival gangs competing for control of drug smuggling routes, leading to a distressing surge in homicides.
While authorities managed to swiftly apprehend one suspect in a nearby apartment complex, the motive behind this heinous crime remains shrouded in mystery.
In the wake of this tragedy, Gilberto Hernandez’s grieving father has made an impassioned plea to the youth of Colón, urging them to break the cycle of violence. He has also called upon authorities to initiate projects aimed at rescuing young lives from the grip of this tragic path. Furthermore, he implored the perpetrators to surrender themselves, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent further harm.
Panama’s football federation and Gilberto Hernandez’s club have expressed their deepest condolences to his grieving family, as the entire footballing community mourns the loss of a promising talent.
As the world pays tribute to Gilberto Hernandez’s burgeoning career tragically cut short, the call for peace and intervention in Colón grows louder. The footballing fraternity yearns for justice while also remembering another Panamanian player, Amilcar Henriquez, who fell victim to violence in the same city in April 2017. It is a somber reminder of the urgent need to address the complex issue of violence and crime that continues to impact communities around the world.
