Latest news with #ShelterforMistreatedMen
Los Angeles Times
12-08-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Parents of Bad Bunny fan killed in Puerto Rico seek answers: ‘We want justice'
New York City native Kevin Mares was killed Sunday in the La Perla neigborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 25-year-old was visiting the island to see a Bad Bunny concert. Mares was fatally shot in the early morning hours, outside of a nightclub called Shelter for Mistreated Men. The shooting took place when several people near Mares began arguing and one pulled out a gun and shot at least three people, the Associated Press reported. Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz told the AP that Mares was an innocent bystander in the situation and that a pair of siblings from La Perla remain hospitalized after being shot. No arrests have yet been made. Mares was joined by his girlfriend and two friends in Puerto Rico. It was his partner who ended up delivering the news of his death to Mares' parents. 'I said, 'What happened?' She said, 'I'm sorry. We lost him,' ' Hector Mares, Kevin's father, told CBS News New York. 'Whoever did this, took from us a piece of us, you know?' Kevin's mother, Sandra Mares, added. A longtime Bad Bunny fan, Mares and his friends were consistently in attendance of the 'La Mudanza' singer's concerts and had been prepping for their San Juan trip for months. 'Every time Bad Bunny comes here, they go to most all of his concerts,' Sandra Mares said. Mares — whose parents are originally from Mexico — was born and raised in the East Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens and was studying to be a veterinarian at LaGuardia Community College. 'He got a lot of dreams. He was working as a vet technician. And at the same time he was studying,' his father told ABC 7 New York. 'He was about to propose to [his girlfriend] this fall. Yeah. He wanted to do something special. He shared that with us,' his mother added. 'He was a lovely son. He cared about all of us, his family, friends. He has a lot of friends who's really going to miss him, too.' Now, the Mares family is asking for anyone with information about the shooter and more specifics about the incident to please step forward. 'What we're asking the people is, if anybody knows what happened, who did this, [to say something],' his mother told CBS. 'We don't know [anything]. We want justice.' The family is currently making efforts toward having Mares' body returned home, but it remains in Puerto Rico as the investigation into his death is still ongoing. Kevin's father started a GoFundMe to raise enough money — the campaign's target is currently $50,000 — to plan Kevin's funeral arrangements. 'Kevin Mares was a deeply loved son, devoted friend, and a source of inspiration to everyone who knew him. His wholehearted kindness, adventurous spirit, and unwavering commitment to family made him a pillar of strength for his loved ones,' the GofundMe page states. 'Family was at the center of everything he did, and his sudden passing has left an unfillable void in our lives. ... Your support will help us honor Kevin's memory and give him the farewell he deserves.'
The Hill
11-08-2025
- The Hill
US tourist visiting Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny concert fatally shot: Police
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A U.S. 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. $7K worth of Labubu dolls stolen from Los Angeles store, authorities say 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 hospitalized. 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 U.S. 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 also were 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 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 neighborhood 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.
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.
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Time of India
New York tourist Kevin Mares, 25, fatally shot in Puerto Rico amid trip to see Bad Bunny — girlfriend shares heartbreaking tribute
Kevin Mares, a 25-year-old tourist from New York, United States, was tragically shot to death early Sunday, August 10, while visiting Puerto Rico to attend one of Bad Bunny's 30-show concert residencies. The fatal shooting happened in La Perla, a coastal neighbourhood on the outskirts of Old San Juan known for its long history of crime and violence. Kevin was in Puerto Rico with three friends to see the popular local rapper perform, a trip that was meant to be a joyful celebration of music and friendship. US tourist shot dead at 25: Details of shooting incident According to New York Post, the shooting occurred in the predawn hours at a nightspot called 'Shelter for Mistreated Men'. The violence started when an argument broke out between several people nearby, and one individual pulled out a gun, firing at least three shots. Kevin Mares was hit twice—in his left abdomen and side—and was rushed to Puerto Rico's largest public hospital, where he later died. Two local men from La Perla were also wounded and remain hospitalised. Police currently have very little information about the shooter, who remains at large. La Perla's troubled history and persistent crime challenges La Perla, home to a few hundred residents, has long been associated with crime, once serving as Puerto Rico's largest heroin distribution point. For years, it was so dangerous that police avoided the community, which even displayed signs warning visitors not to enter. Although a major federal raid in 2011 arrested dozens of criminals and reduced violence temporarily, the area still struggles with safety. Earlier in 2024, a tourist was murdered and set on fire in La Perla after a drug deal, highlighting the ongoing risks. This latest shooting has reignited concerns about security in the neighbourhood, especially for tourists. Kevin Mares' family launches GoFundMe to bring his body back home Kevin Mares' loved ones described him as 'a deeply loved son, a devoted friend, and a source of inspiration to everyone who knew him.' They launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the expenses of bringing his body back home to New York. The fundraising page highlighted Kevin's 'wholehearted kindness, adventurous spirit, and unwavering commitment to family,' calling him 'a pillar of strength for his loved ones.' His family shared that Kevin had been planning to propose to his girlfriend of six years in the fall, a future now tragically cut short. Kevin's girlfriend pays a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram.. Kevin had been planning to propose to his girlfriend of six years during their trip to Puerto Rico, a dream they both eagerly anticipated. After his tragic death, his girlfriend shared her heartbreak on Instagram, writing, 'I love you,, my angel,' with a broken heart emoji. In another post, she said, 'My love,, I love you.. I miss you so much. why did God take him away from me? ' She also asked for support to cover expenses in her Instagram story, stating, 'I would never ask for this, but we need help to bring the love of my life back home to New York.' Her words poignantly express the deep love, loss, and the plans that will now never come to fruition, underscoring the tragic impact of Kevin's death on those closest to him. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
NDTV
10-08-2025
- NDTV
US Tourist In Puerto Rico For Bad Bunny Concert Fatally Shot
Puerto Rico: 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.
