Mar 03
Shooting in David
I heard a little about this on the morning news, but this email reminded me that I should make others aware of it.
Hi Don Ray – don’t know if you’ve heard about this. Last night, a foreigner (Italian national) by the name of Dino Guiseppe Remedi F. was shot and killed in his home in the Villa Dora neighborhood in the course of an armed robbery. El Siglo has a small item posted on their digital edition – in it, it was indicated that Sr. Remedi did not resist but was shot anyway.
18 responses so far Panama Journal
Google gave me an English translation of the El Siglo article, as follows:
“One man, an Italian national, was killed last night in his house located in Villa Dora neighborhood, near the river Risacua in David, Chiriquí. Was identified as Dino Guissepp Remedy Fontavine of 65 years. It seems that the Italian was the victim of an armed robbery. Placed no resistance, but even so matarom shot.”
Not sure what matarom means.
over the last weekend, in long beach, ca., four people were shot to death and two wounded. i guess its every where! be safe!
Well it is my understanding he was shot in his residence in “Balbuena” Not Villa Dora. / Former Villa of one time rich and famous family Tribaldos/Carta Vieja. By the Risacua river pass the bridge entering town from Panama City side.
This person was not considered here to be a foreign. Long term resident, Italian nationality, had for long time live here earning the love of everyone who got the chance to meet him.
I think is a shame but guess we all most be careful as turmoil due to crisis is to arise and grow.
Guillermo
Hi Angel. I believe you are correct. I think it was Balbuena. Thanks for correcting that.
I understand that the killer of Sr. Fontavine was apprehended by police yesterday. The victim offered his wallet and money but the suspect shot and killed him anyway, apparently for fear of identification.
In another incident, a man in his mid-twenties, who calls himself
“Satan,” shot and murdered a woman and mother of five children
who reportedly lived in Bugaba. The woman was found yesterday
from what I heard in the Risacua River. The suspect is from Santa
Marta, which I understand is between Bugaba and La Frontera.
The suspect so far has evaded capture, and is rumored to be in the Bugaba-Volcan area corridor. Police were stopping cars in Volcan.
In yet another incident from last Friday, a 14 year-old boy and an
accomplice robbed a Coca-Cola vendor at gunpoint while the vendor was making deliveries in the Volcan area and got away with $400. The police apprehended him the next day. The boy reportedly has a history of drug abuse and is from San Vicente. He was later released earlier this week as I understand that there is no criminal prosecution of minors in the country of Panama.
I am married to a Panamanian woman and this information is thought to be accurate as so far as information is available. My wife’s brothers are all taxi drivers and usually they have fairly
good information for lack of local official news outlets and sources.
Hi Allan. Thanks for commenting and passing on the other information.
It’s go tot be hard for a criminal in Panama where everyone knows everyone .. it’s such a small country most of them get caught right away
unless they are foreigners..
but consider yourself lucky looks like in the US we have a total murder rate higher than iraq
http://thecitizensjournalblog.blogspot.com/2007/01/us-cities-murder-rate-higher-than-iraqs.html
Don isn’t it worth stressing, quotting the comment above “as I understand that there is no criminal prosecution of minors in the country of Panama” . Does that make any sense? Open invitation for more violence, commited by young panamian kids.
Yes the lack of youth prosecution is a big problem.
Another case in point of failure of youth prosecution. The 4 guys who broke into Jean Michaels new house in lower Makano and pistol whipped him and raped his wife are also minors and the police are afraid that the woefully inadequate justice system will cut them loose. Sounds a bit like what goes on the other side of the border which is why many of us landed here in the first place. I had weapons in Costa Rica but until now never felt like I needed one. And this bankrupt govt. has (at least to my knowledge)not even offered a small reward for the capture of the perpetrator(s) of the rash of murders in the Boqueron/Alanje area. Every time I got hit in Costa Rica, the first thing I did was offer a reward and it generally got results. Its difficult to comprehend that Martin and Ruben and company cant grasp this simple concept……
Has anyone heard who it was that asasinated Dino?
As I read about this murder and multiple burglaries, some at gunpoint, I need ask this question. Is there an increase in violence or an increase in reporting violence? The targets of violence are egalitarian, these criminals are truly equal opportunity and it appears the most violent crimes appear to be drug related. Just wondering out loud.
One more note, the rate of violent crime per capital in Panama was below that in the US last time a survey was done, I wonder if it still is lower? (http://www.boqueteguide.com/?p=3701)
All I know is listening to the locals, they think it is a bigger problem than it was in the past. I doubt if it is reported any less. The Panamanian press loves to have photos of gore. It sells papers.
Any way I can get hold of Al Bollinger re posting of crime in makano?
Hi Lily. I sent your comment to Al’s email address.
Yes Lilly, how can I help u?
Hi,
I am still in the UK., but just this past week I have had confirmation that my Pensionado visa has been authorized. Sadly, I am a little concerned due to what I have been reading about safety, break-ins, murders in Panama. I can’t help but wonder whether Panama is going to be a safe place for me to live.
I have been considering living in David or Boquete, but wonder now whether to call a halt to the whole thing. As word gets out, less people will invest in Panama which eventually will affect the economy. In fact, I already know of a at least 40 families 6 of which had substantial amounts of cash and assets to start large businesses which would have provided jobs.
Comments would be appreciated.
Hi Ray. I think with a little caution, Panama will be fine. I personally would not enjoy living in Panama City, but Boquete or David would be fine. Most deaths I have heard ove have eventually had rumors of drugs or one was related to a gringo that was fooling around with a lot of young women and most likely angered some boyfriend.
Thefts are usually those of opportunity. If you make it easy to steal things they will get stolen.