A 10-year-old girl was fatally injured in Panama this Monday after a man opened fire at her home, according to authorities who have asked the community to help identify the suspect. The shooting occurred at dawn in the Pedregal neighborhood of the Rana de Oro district, in the metropolitan area of the capital, when an attacker fired at the residence. The child was transported to a healthcare facility where she died on Monday. The Public Ministry has confirmed the incident and is pursuing a formal investigation.
Officials say the prosecution is seeking citizen Reynaldo Alberto Lasso Rivas, known as “Chino Trenza,” who is accused of crimes “against life and personal integrity.” Rafael Baloyes, the Chief Homicide and Femicide Prosecutor for the Metropolitan Prosecutor’s Office, told local media that preliminary information indicates Lasso may be connected to a criminal group.Authorities have stated that the case is being treated as a serious crime and that investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, collecting testimonies, and examining whether the attack was planned or spontaneous.
Public safety data show Panama recorded 311 homicides in August, a decrease from 368 in the same period in 2021. Officials note that a significant portion of violent crime in the country is linked to drug trafficking networks and gang activity, though they caution that each case requires careful verification of motives and affiliations. The investigation continues as authorities appeal for any information from residents who may have witnessed the incident or who can identify the suspect through community tips.