Beach Tourists Shot by Masked Men on Horseback

Two tourists were badly injured this afternoon as they headed to their beach hotel near Playa Blanca in Rio Hato, west of Panama City. Two hooded assailants shot the 66 year-old U.S. man and 56 year-old Russian woman in the head, arm and back.

The tourist victims were first taken to Aquilino Tejeira hospital in Penonomé and then transported by helicopter to Panama City to due the seriousness of their injuries.

The attackers were still on the run and were believed to be on horseback.

According the La Prensa reports, the hold-up may have been intended for a car that was due to carry money to construction projects in the touristic area around the same time.