US tourist fatally shot in Puerto Rico after traveling for Bad Bunny concert, police say
A 25-year-old U.S. tourist visiting Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny’s concert residency was fatally shot early Sunday in La Perla, a seaside neighborhood in Old San Juan, according to police. Authorities identified the victim as Kevin Mares of New York. The shooting occurred in the predawn hours at a nightspot called “Shelter for Mistreated Men,” when an argument broke out among several people near Mares. One person pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking at least three individuals. Police said Mares was an innocent bystander and was in Puerto Rico with three friends for one of Bad Bunny’s 30 scheduled shows. He suffered a gunshot wound to the left side of his abdomen and died at the island’s largest public hospital. Two other men from La Perla were also wounded and remain hospitalized. Investigators have not determined the motive for the dispute and have no description of the shooter.
La Perla, once infamous as Puerto Rico’s primary heroin distribution hub, has long struggled with its violent reputation. Once marked with signs warning outsiders to stay away, the neighborhood saw a reduction in crime after a massive 2011 federal raid led to dozens of arrests. Its image improved further when it was prominently featured in Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” music video, attracting more tourists. However, sporadic violence has continued. In February 2023, three tourists were stabbed after being told to stop filming in the area, and in April 2024, a tourist from Delaware was killed and set on fire after an alleged drug-related confrontation. This year, Puerto Rico, with a population of 3.2 million, has reported 277 homicides, down from 325 during the same period last year.
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