Panama footballer Gilberto Hernández, who played for the national team, has died after being shot in the city of Colón.
The Panamanian Football Federation (FEPAFUT) confirmed the 26-year-old defender’s death in a statement on Monday.
“FEPAFUT extends its condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to the entire CAI and Panamanian football family”, it said in a statement.
Hernandez played for Club Atletico Independiente de La Chorrera in the Panamanian Football League and made two international appearances.
“My sincere condolences to the relatives of Gilberto Hernández,” the Panama national team’s managerThomas Christiansen posted on the social media site X.
Mi más sincero pésame a los familiares de Gilberto Hernández, jugador del @caipanama y de la selección de Panamá @fepafut .
— Thomas Christiansen (@T9Christiansen) September 4, 2023
DESCANSE EN PAZ!
🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/wQg4BqGqj5
The footballer was shot dead in Barrio Norte, Colón on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire inside a building, the BBC reported. Seven others were reportedly injured.
The national police in Panama have confirmed the “apprehension of a citizen suspected of the murder of a football player, which occurred on Sunday ... in the province of Colón”.
El Subcomisionado Hermógenes Argüelles, Ejecutivo de la Zona Policial de Colón, se refiere a la aprehensión de un ciudadano presuntamente sospechoso del Homicidio de un futbolista, hecho ocurrido el domingo, 3 de septiembre, en Calle 5 y Avenida Herrera, en la provincia de Colón. pic.twitter.com/iEOZIumXBj
— Policía Nacional (@ProtegeryServir) September 4, 2023
Hernández began his career with Club Deportivo Árabe Unido in Colón in 2018. He played for the team until 2022, when he moved to Herrera FC.
He stayed with Herrera FC for half a season before transferring to Club Atletico Independiente de La Chorrera, where he scored seven goals across 32 matches.
Internationally, Hernández was called up by the Panama U-22 team to play the 2019 Pan American Games.
