A US tourist visiting Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert was shot to death in La Perla, a notoriously dangerous San Juan neighborhood, on Sunday, authorities said
A U.S. tourist who flew to Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert was fatally shot early Sunday at La Perla, a small popular seaside town, Police said.
The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Kevin Mares, who was living in New York, according to a police statement.
The shooting happened in the early hours at a nightspot called “Shelter for Mistreated Men” in La Perla.
La Perla has a reputation of being a dangerous neighborhood, with the coastal community struggling to shed its dark reputation.
Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz said that the shooting took place when several people began arguing leading to one pulling out a gun and shooting at least three people, including Mares. The two other men on the scene live in La Perla and currently remain hospitalized with injuries.
Ruiz said Mares was an innocent bystander. He was with three other friends who informed the police that they were in town for a Bad Bunny concert.
Mares was shot on the left side of his abdomen and was taken to the hospital, where he died, authorities said.
Police said it is unknown what the people were arguing about, and they do not have a description of the shooter at the time.
“We have very little information,” Ruiz said.
Mares’ three friends were also from New York, according to police.
La Perla, is located on the outskirts of Old San Juan and is considered a shantytown, once serving as Puerto Rico’s biggest distribution point for heroin and known for its violence.
The place used to have a sign saying, “Not open to visitors. Do not enter.”
However, violence eased when federal agents raided the slum in 2011 and arrested many people, including a well-known community leader who was later convicted.
The raid did not stop isolated, violent incidents from continuing.
In April 2024, a 24-year-old tourist was killed, and his body was set on fire after he and a friend were attacked following a drug purchase. The victims were allegedly trying to take pictures of La Perla after being warned not to do so, police said.
The island of 3.2 million people has reported 277 killings so far this year.
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
The tragic death of Mares highlights ongoing public safety challenges across Puerto Rico, where violent crime remains a persistent concern. Statistics show the island of 3.2 million residents has recorded 277 homicides through August 2025, representing a decrease from the 325 killings reported during the same period last year.
Bad Bunny’s extended concert residency has brought significant economic benefits to Puerto Rico’s tourism industry, drawing thousands of visitors who contribute millions of dollars to local businesses. However, incidents like the shooting of Mares underscore the importance of visitor safety awareness, particularly in areas with complex social dynamics.
The investigation into Mares’ death continues as authorities work to identify and apprehend the shooter responsible for cutting short the young man’s life during what should have been a celebratory trip to see his favorite artist perform.
US tourist shot dead during Puerto Rico trip to see Bad Bunny concert https://t.co/oFYteYqGjf pic.twitter.com/1UO0jXqfkB
— New York Post (@nypost) August 10, 2025
Casualty of crossfire
Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz confirmed that Mares was an innocent bystander who became caught up in an argument between several individuals at the nightspot. According to police accounts, tensions escalated when one person produced a firearm and opened fire on the group, striking at least three people in the process.
The bullet struck Mares on the left side of his abdomen, causing severe internal injuries. Emergency responders rushed him to Puerto Rico’s largest public hospital, where medical staff fought to save his life. Despite their efforts, Mares succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Two other men, both residents of La Perla, sustained injuries during the same shooting incident and remain hospitalized. Their current conditions have not been disclosed by authorities.
Few clues emerge in investigation
Police investigators are working with limited information as they attempt to piece together the circumstances surrounding the deadly shooting. Detective Ruiz acknowledged the challenges facing the investigation, stating that authorities currently lack a description of the shooter and remain unclear about what initially sparked the fatal argument.
“We have very little information,” Ruiz admitted during a phone interview with reporters. The detective confirmed that Mares’ three traveling companions, all from New York, witnessed the horrific incident and have provided statements to investigators. However, their specific hometowns within New York state have not been released.
Community’s complex transformation
La Perla sits on the outskirts of Old San Juan’s historic tourist district, where hundreds of residents call the colorful oceanside community home. The neighborhood carries a complicated legacy, having once served as Puerto Rico’s primary heroin distribution hub and earning a reputation for dangerous criminal activity.
For years, law enforcement officers avoided patrolling the area, and warning signs at community entrances explicitly told visitors to stay away. The neighborhood’s fortunes began changing dramatically following a massive federal operation in 2011, when hundreds of agents conducted coordinated raids throughout the community.
The sweeping law enforcement action resulted in dozens of arrests, including the conviction of a prominent community leader on drug-related charges. This crackdown significantly reduced violence and criminal activity within La Perla’s narrow streets.
Tourism boost brings new challenges
The community experienced an unexpected tourism renaissance after Puerto Rican superstars Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featured La Perla prominently in their global hit “Despacito.” The music video’s stunning visuals of the colorful hillside homes overlooking the Atlantic Ocean attracted visitors from around the world, transforming the once-forbidden area into a popular photo destination.
However, this increased foot traffic has occasionally led to friction between residents and tourists. In February 2023, three visitors required medical attention after being stabbed when they ignored warnings about filming within the community.
The most serious previous incident occurred in April 2024, when a 24-year-old tourist from Delaware was murdered and his body burned after he and a companion were attacked following an alleged drug purchase. Police reported that the victims had been warned against photographing the area but continued taking pictures anyway.
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