Kevin Mares was shot and killed in Puerto Rico while visiting for a Bad Bunny concert, according to police. The incident occurred at a night hangout spot in the La Perla area of San Juan, a neighborhood known for its history of violence. Mares, a 25-year-old from New York, was in San Juan to see Bad Bunny perform in the singer’s 30-show residency that recently began. Police reported that an argument broke out between several people at the location, leading to a shooting where at least three others were also injured. Mares was taken to a local hospital but later died, as stated by homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz. The other two victims, a brother and sister in their mid-40s, remain in the hospital, though details about their conditions are not yet available.
Ruiz noted that investigators have very little information about the incident, with no description of the suspect provided yet. La Perla, once a major hub for heroin distribution, saw a federal raid in 2011 that resulted in dozens of arrests. The neighborhood’s troubled history of crime has continued into the present, with the recent incident serving as a grim reminder of its ongoing challenges. The GoFundMe campaign raising money for Mares’ funeral highlights his personality as a ‘deeply loved son, devoted friend, and a source of inspiration to everyone who knew him.’ His family described him as a man with a bright future and a commitment to family life, whose passing has left an ‘unfillable void in our lives.’ The Associated Press contributed to this report.