Panamanian footballer Gilberto Hernandez was shot dead at the age of 26 after gunmen opened fire in the town of Colon, injuring seven others
- Seven others were injured in the attack that killed Gilberto Hernandez at age 26
- He played twice for Panama and one match was against Lionel Messi’s Argentina
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Panama international Gilberto Hernandez has been shot dead at the age of 26.
Panama’s football league confirmed the news in a statement. The incident took place in the city of Colon, but it is unclear whether Hernandez was the target of the attack.
Seven others were injured in the incident.
Hernandez made two appearances for his country and one appearance was in the 2-0 defeat to Argentina, where Lionel Messi scored, in March this year. It was Argentina’s first game in front of home fans since winning the World Cup in Qatar last year.
The player’s bereaved father has urged Colon’s youth to “stop the violence” and called on the authorities to “launch projects to save the youth from this violence.”
Panama international Gilberto Hernandez has been shot dead at the age of 26
He was also quoted by the BBC as urging his son’s killers to turn themselves in. According to The Guardian, police have made one arrest so far.
The Panama Federation also issued a statement saying it “deplores the sad passing of Gilberto Hernandez.”
“(We) extend our condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to the entire CAI and the Panamanian football family.”
Hernandez was playing for Panamanian team Independiente at the time of his death.
In April 2017, another Panama player, Amilcar Henriquez, was shot and killed in Colon.
Henriquez made 85 appearances for his country and was an active part of the team trying to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.