U.S. Tourist Fatally Shot in Puerto Rico While Visiting for Bad Bunny Concert
In the early hours of August 10, 2025, Kevin Mares, a 25-year-old New Yorker, was shot and killed in La Perla—a seaside neighborhood on the edge of Old San Juan—while visiting Puerto Rico to attend one of Bad Bunny’s residency concerts. Authorities say he was an innocent bystander caught in a violent dispute at a local nightspot known as the “Refuge for Mistreated Men.”
A Promising Life Cut Short
Mares, a veterinary student from East Elmhurst, Queens, was in Puerto Rico with friends for one of the 30 performances in Bad Bunny’s No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí residency. He had been planning to propose to his girlfriend this fall after a six-year relationship. Described as kind, driven, and deeply family-oriented, his life came to a sudden, heartbreaking end.
The Shooting: A Community in Shock
According to Sergeant Arnaldo Ruiz, the shooting erupted after an argument among several individuals in La Perla, a neighborhood historically plagued by violence and drug-related crime. Several shots rang out around 4:13 AM, striking Mares and two local residents, who remain hospitalized. Mares was transported to the island’s largest public hospital but succumbed to fatal injuries. Investigators have not identified a suspect or motive, and the investigation is in its early stages.
La Perla: A Past That Lingers
La Perla, once one of Puerto Rico’s most dangerous districts, has seen improvements since federal crackdowns in 2011 and renewed attention from being featured in the music video for “Despacito.” Despite this progress, the area remains vulnerable. In 2023, tourists were stabbed for filming, and in 2024, a tourist was murdered and set on fire—all pointing to persistent security challenges.
A Void Felt Deeply
Mares' family has started a GoFundMe campaign to cover repatriation costs. His girlfriend, grieving publicly, posted emotional tributes such as “I love you, my angel,” mourning not just his death, but the future they had planned together. Loved ones remember him as someone who balanced two jobs while pursuing his veterinary studies—and as a devoted partner, son, and friend.
A Worrying Reminder for Visitors
This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety in some Puerto Rican neighborhoods—even those popular with tourists. While the island enjoys a tourism boom thanks to Bad Bunny’s residency, authorities and visitors alike are reminded that caution is still necessary.
