US Tourist In Puerto Rico For Bad Bunny Concert Fatally Shot
A US tourist who was visiting Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny's residency was fatally shot early Sunday at La Perla, a popular seaside shantytown, police said.
The victim was identified as Kevin Mares, a 25-year-old who lived in New York, according to a police statement.
The shooting happened in the predawn hours at a nightspot called "Shelter for Mistreated Men" in La Perla, a coastal community that has struggled to shed its dark reputation.
Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz said in a phone interview that the shooting took place when several people near Mares began arguing, and one pulled out a gun and shot at least three people, including Mares. Two other men who live in La Perla were injured and remain hospitalised.
Ruiz said Mares was an innocent bystander. He was with three other friends who told police they were in Puerto Rico for one of Bad Bunny's 30 concerts, which have attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the US territory.
Mares was shot on the left side of his abdomen and was taken to Puerto Rico's largest public hospital, where he died, authorities said.
Ruiz said police don't yet know what the people were arguing about and don't have a description of the shooter. "We have very little information," he said.
Ruiz added that Mares' three friends were also from New York. He didn't have their hometowns.
La Perla is located on the outskirts of a historic district popular with tourists known as Old San Juan. A couple of hundred people live in the shantytown, which once served as Puerto Rico's biggest distribution point for heroin and was known for its violence.
Police used to avoid the community, which used to have a sign proclaiming, "Not open to visitors. Do not enter."
But violence eased when hundreds of federal agents raided the slum in 2011 and arrested dozens of people, including a well-known community leader who was later convicted.
The neighbourhood became even safer and more welcoming after Puerto Rican singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featured it in their hit, "Despacito."
But isolated, violent incidents persist.
In February 2023, three tourists were stabbed after police said a person told them to stop filming inside the community.
Then, in April 2024, a 24-year-old tourist from Delaware was killed and his body set on fire after police said he and a friend were attacked following a drug purchase. Police said the victims were trying to take pictures of La Perla after being warned not to do so.
The island of 3.2 million people has reported 277 killings so far this year, compared with 325 killings in the same period last year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
13-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
Who was Kevin Mares? American tourist shot dead in Puerto Rico before attending Bad Bunny concert
A tourist from New York was shot and killed while visiting Puerto Rico to attend a Bad Bunny concert, Fox News reported. Kevin Mares, 25, was shot in the left side of his abdomen in the early hours of Sunday morning in La Perla, a coastal area of San Juan known for past violence. The incident happened at a night hangout spot called 'Refuge for Mistreated Men.' Kevin Mares had a bright future ahead, with plans to propose to his girlfriend of six years this fall. (GofundMe) Who was Kevin Mares? A GoFundMe campaign set up to support funeral costs described Mares as a 'Deeply loved son, devoted friend, and a source of inspiration to everyone who knew him.' The page added, 'His wholehearted kindness, adventurous spirit, and unwavering commitment to family made him a pillar of strength for his loved ones. Kevin had a bright future ahead, with plans to propose to his girlfriend of six years this fall, and he was always creating memories with those closest to him. Family was at the center of everything he did, and his sudden passing has left an unfillable void in our lives.' Till now the GoFundMe me page has raised, $50,861. Police said a group of people near Mares got into an argument. One person pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting at least three people, including Mares. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died, according to homicide detective Sgt Arnaldo Ruiz. Two others, a brother and sister in their 40s, were also injured and remain in the hospital, as reported by Fox News. Also Read: Indian-origin man, daughter shot dead in US store; police arrest suspect Kevin Mares travelled to Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny concert Sgt Ruiz confirmed that Mares had travelled to Puerto Rico to see Bad Bunny perform, as the artist recently began a 30-show residency in San Juan. Authorities have released a few details and have not yet identified a suspect. Sgt Ruiz said, 'We have very little information.' La Perla has a history of drug-related crime. In 2011, federal agents raided the area and made multiple arrests in connection with heroin trafficking.
Time of India
13-08-2025
- Time of India
Puerto Rican rapper Jhayco arrested in Miami, faces cocaine and cannabis possession charges after police bust
Miami-Dade County awoke to headline-grabbing news this Tuesday as Puerto Rican rapper Jhayco, formerly known as Jhay Cortez, was arrested in the early hours of the morning on serious drug charges. The reggaeton and Latin trap sensation, who resides in Pembroke Pines, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 4:24 a.m., facing allegations of possessing cocaine and cannabis. Trouble in Miami for the Latin rap star Jhayco The 32-year-old artist, born Jesús Manuel Nieves Cortés, became an international name after his sultry 2020 collaboration Dákiti with Bad Bunny. But this week, it was not chart rankings he found himself climbing, it was the steps of a jail cell. According to police reports, the arrest scene could have been lifted straight from a Miami Vice reboot. Deputies encountered a red Corvette mysteriously crawling down Southwest 8th Street near 69th Avenue at just five miles per hour, before coming to a complete halt in the middle of the road, refusing to move for several minutes. What began as a curious traffic incident quickly turned into something more. Officers reported the unmistakable scent of cannabis pouring from the vehicle, alongside the noticeable presence of a white powder across the rapper's pants and nose. When asked for identification, Jhayco allegedly fumbled through his wallet and mobile phone, only offering his name and birthdate, no driver's licence was presented, according to the report. What deputies found inside Jhayco's car A thorough search of the vehicle and Jhayco's belongings revealed a stash that landed him in hot legal water: two black pouches containing 14 grams of what officers suspected to be cannabis, and two clear bags with two grams of suspected cocaine. The rapper was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis. His bond was set at $3,000 and was posted by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, as confirmed by jail records. From Latin Grammy nods to now mugshots Jhayco is no stranger to fame. Bursting into the Latin music scene with his 2019 debut studio album Famouz, he has penned hits for Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin, including the chart-dominating I Like It. Just last year, he launched a sprawling 29-track album Le Clique: Vida Rockstar (X) and kicked off his tour at the Kaseya Center in Miami. But today, the headlines are far less glamorous. Though no public statement has been issued by his representatives, fans are left wondering whether this is just a bump in the road, or the start of a much darker chapter for the Latin trap icon.
Hindustan Times
11-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
New York man shot dead after Bad Bunny concert in Puerto Rico; victim identified as Kevin Mares
A US tourist who traveled to Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert was fatally shot early Sunday in La Perla, a small seaside community on the outskirts of Old San Juan known for its turbulent past. Police identified the victim as 25-year-old Kevin Mares, a New York resident. A 25-year-old New Yorker visiting Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert was fatally shot at La Perla.(REUTERS) The shooting occurred in the early hours at a local nightspot called 'Shelter for Mistreated Men.' Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz said the incident began when several people started arguing. One person pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking at least three men - including Mares, who was described as an innocent bystander. Mares, who was with three friends also visiting from New York, suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his abdomen. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The other two victims, residents of La Perla, remain hospitalized. Shooter still at large Authorities said they have no clear description of the suspect and are still investigating the motive behind the altercation. 'We have very little information,' Sgt. Ruiz stated. Mares' friends told police they were in Puerto Rico specifically for the concert. La Perla's troubled history La Perla, located along the coast outside Old San Juan, has long struggled with a reputation for crime and drug activity. Once Puerto Rico's largest heroin distribution hub, the neighborhood saw reduced violence after a major federal raid in 2011. However, sporadic violent incidents have persisted. In April 2024, another tourist was killed and his body set on fire after he and a friend were attacked following a drug-related encounter. Police said they had been warned not to take pictures of the area. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Sunday's shooting to come forward.
