Shocking footage has emerged of a man gunning down two environmental protesters in Chame, Panama, during ongoing demonstrations that have left the nation in turmoil.

The tragic incident unfolded on the Pan-American Highway and has raised concerns about the escalating tension between activists and frustrated motorists.

The pair of protesters met a tragic end, and one person has been arrested in connection with the shooting, according to officials.

The incident occurred when a motorist became enraged over an environmental road blockade, the UK Daily Mail reported.

The horrifying images captured the shooter, an elderly man, stepping out of his car to confront the eco-protesters who had halted traffic on the Pan-American Highway in Chame.

Police later identified the shooter as Kenneth Darlington, 77, a lawyer and professor who holds dual citizenship in the US and Panama.

Initially, Darlington attempted to reason with the protesters, but as his frustration mounted, he pulled a handgun from his pocket and gestured wildly.

Despite the imminent danger, the protesters adamantly refused to disperse and engaged in a heated argument with the irate motorist. With each passing moment, the situation grew more tense.

For a brief moment, it appeared as though the gunman might back down.

However, when one protester approached him while holding a flag, he swiftly raised his pistol and fired at close range. Terrified onlookers and fellow demonstrators rushed to assist the victim as the shooter calmly began dismantling the barricade created by the protesters.

Unfazed by the ongoing chaos, another protester wearing a black t-shirt and jeans attempted to confront the gunman and was also shot. Footage shows him recoiling from the impact, clutching his upper chest in pain, with a look of disbelief on his face.

Horrified friends of the victims rushed to their aid, with bystanders applying pressure to the wounds in an effort to stop the bleeding. Tragically, neither victim survived their injuries.

Police quickly descended on the scene, apprehending the shooter and placing him in handcuffs before transporting him in the back of a squad car.

This distressing incident unfolded amidst a series of protests spanning three weeks, triggered by a contentious government mining contract in the country.

Several avenues in the capital were obstructed by small groups of protesters, while the Pan-American Highway faced multiple blockades, impeding the transport of essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine.

Reports had already emerged of a demonstrator being run over and killed on November 1 during a protest in the west of the country.

The incident has sparked a fierce debate among global netizens on the X platform, with opinions divided on the circumstances.

Some expressed frustration with road blockades, while others emphasized the need for peaceful protest and the rule of law.

X user Ian Miles Cheong commented, “Man had enough of climate change activists blocking the road so he took matters into his own hands. It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. These activists need to stop what they’re doing or incidents like this will be more frequent.”

“Blocking roads isn’t activism, it’s just a public nuisance,” another netizen remarked.