Four cops fired, two facing homicide charges after child killings

TWO police officers involved the fatal shooting of two children are facing homicide charges and all four who were at the scene have been fired says Panama’s police chief Julio Moltó.

"The national police have determined that there were clear failures in official procedures," Moltó said.

The incident involved a lieutenant, a sergeant and two officers. They were manning a roadblock in San Carlos when a car approached matching the description of the car they were looking for. For some reason, the officers opened fire on the vehicle, killing a two-year-old todler and a 15-year-old girl
Moltó said that the investigation is being conducted according to department procedures. The officers were initially stripped of their weapons and badges and placed on administrative duties while the investigation was taking place, and now have been discharged.
He said a disciplinary board will consider additional measures.
"The pólice believe in acting in a manner that is transparent and responsible, and we reiterate to the community that this institution will not tolerate in any way or accept this kind of behavior or conduct," he said.
He added that the department is working with the Attorney General's Office to investigate the incident from a criminal standpoint in addition to the internal investigation.
Molto again regretted the tragedy and reiterated that "nothing we do or say or any measures that we take will bring these children back to life or comfort the affected families."