A 25-year-old man from New York, visiting Puerto Rico for a series of concerts by the artist known as Bad Bunny, was shot and killed in the early hours of Sunday. The incident occurred in La Perla, a seaside shantytown near Old San Juan.
Kevin Mares was the unfortunate victim of a shooting that took place at a nightspot with the telling name of “Shelter for Mistreated Men”. After being shot in the abdomen, Mares was rushed to Puerto Rico’s largest public hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Police reports indicate that the incident unfolded amidst a dispute amongst several individuals in the vicinity of Mares. In the course of this altercation, one individual brandished a firearm, injuring three people. Two residents of La Perla, also wounded in the shooting, are still hospitalized. This raises important questions about public safety and the security of tourists in the area.
La Perla is a well-known district on the outskirts of the tourist hotspot Old San Juan. Despite its troubled past as a major heroin distribution point and its reputation for violence, the area has seen significant safety improvements. A federal raid in 2011, resulting in numerous arrests, had helped curb the violence. Furthermore, the neighborhood gained international attention after Puerto Rican singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee showcased it in their global hit, “Despacito”.
However, isolated violent incidents persist. In 2023, three tourists were stabbed after an individual objected to them filming within the community. In 2024, another tourist was fatally attacked and his body set ablaze following an alleged drug transaction. This latest incident involving Kevin Mares adds to an increasing list of violent acts against tourists in the area.
Despite the decline in overall crime, Puerto Rico, an island of 3.2 million people, has reported 277 killings this year compared to 325 in the same period the previous year. As authorities work to establish a motive for this latest incident, the security of tourists, particularly those visiting for high-profile events like the Bad Bunny residency, remains an issue of concern.
We remind our readers of the importance of staying informed and vigilant while travelling. The investigation into the fatal shooting of Kevin Mares continues, and we will keep you updated as details emerge.
