A tragic accident has occurred this week in Costa Rica where a 16-year old Kansas teenager was fatally shot by the hotel security guard where his school group was staying.
Justin Johnston was shot in the chest after being mistaken for a prowler on the grounds of the very popular La Cangreja Lodge, after sneaking out of his room after curfew on a Spanish class, school sponsored trip.
Costa Rica is deemed one of Latin America’s safest vacation destinations and a favorite of many school groups for its rich flora and fauna. Apparently Johnston and another teen sneaked out of their rooms and went to an adjoining building where other students were staying.
Upon returning at 4:00 a.m. they were approached by the security guard who shouted at them to identify themselves and fired a warning shot, this prompted the students to run toward their room which in turn prompted the guard to shoot at them.
The last tragic incident involving a student in Costa Rica occurred in 2001 when a 23-year old exchange student was murdered while walking home from a nightclub.
