Urban music artist Juan Vargas, known professionally as Jr. Ranks, has publicly rejected official police claims that his 13-year-old son’s death is connected to organized crime. The fatal shooting occurred Tuesday evening in the Puerto Escondido neighborhood of Colon. Vargas issued a family statement calling for an objective investigation and respect for his son’s memory.
The incident has sparked a public dispute between the grieving family and Panama’s top police official over the narrative surrounding the boy’s killing. National Police Director Jaime Fernandez stated at a Wednesday press conference that the attack was linked to gang activity in Colon. The family’s detailed account portrays the victim as an innocent bystander, a scholarship student and a promising soccer talent recently signed to Tauro FC.
Family Statement Contradicts Police Narrative
In their emotional release, the Vargas family described the shooting as a case of mistaken identity or collateral damage. They insist their son was simply buying food and meeting friends to play video games just two houses from his own home when he was caught in crossfire. The statement emphasized the attack occurred in front of more than 15 witnesses, most of them minors.
“It is unacceptable to try to divert attention toward concepts like gangs, when the reality is singular: an innocent 13-year-old boy was taken from us. He was not on a bad path. He was a scholarship student and a soccer promise,” the family statement reads. [Translated from Spanish]
The family directly addressed the official comments from police leadership. They demanded responsibility in public communications to avoid unsupported speculation. Their primary request is for a serious investigative process free from prejudice.
Police Director Jaime Fernandez had directly connected the tragedy to broader criminal conflicts. He suggested it may be related to a recent change in precautionary measures for a gang leader from Colon. The National Police of Panama reported immediate progress in the case, claiming to have identified a vehicle used in the attack and several persons of interest.
A Community in Mourning Seeks Answers
The shooting has cast a renewed spotlight on violence in Colon, a province often grappling with incidents of organized crime. According to police reports, several individuals arrived at the Puerto Escondido scene in a vehicle, disembarked, and fired multiple rounds at a group conversing in the area. The 13-year-old died after being taken to Manuel Amador Guerrero Hospital. A 21-year-old man was also injured and remains under medical care.
Director Fernandez highlighted the importance of community cooperation in solving such crimes, especially in vulnerable areas. He urged residents to come forward with any information. Meanwhile, the Vargas family concluded their statement with a plea for empathy and truth.
“We appreciate the shows of solidarity and ask for empathy in the face of this irreparable loss. The truth must prevail,” the statement said. [Translated from Spanish]
The conflicting accounts between a grieving public figure and law enforcement officials have left the public awaiting further developments. The investigation continues as authorities pursue their identified lines of inquiry. The family’s call for an unbiased process underscores the deep desire for clarity and justice in a case that has shaken the nation.