What was supposed to be a dream getaway for a 25-year-old New Yorker turned into tragedy early Sunday in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Kevin Mares had flown to the island with friends from the United States to attend one of Bad Bunny’s sold-out residency concerts, a massive event that’s been drawing fans from all over the world. But in the predawn hours, he was caught in the middle of a deadly shooting in La Perla, a seaside neighborhood known for both its scenic views and its troubled past.
Police say the gunfire erupted around 4:13 a.m. at a local nightspot called Refuge for Mistreated Men. According to Homicide Detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz, an argument broke out among several people nearby when someone pulled out a gun and opened fire. Mares, who was not involved in the dispute, was struck in the abdomen. Two other residents: a brother and sister in their 40s were also wounded and remain hospitalized.
Mares was rushed to Puerto Rico’s largest public hospital but sadly did not survive. His three friends, also from New York, were unharmed. Police have yet to determine the motive for the shooting and currently have no description of the suspect.
San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero confirmed that security camera footage from the area will be reviewed. He also noted that the shooting took place well after legal alcohol service hours, as city regulations require bars to close by 1 a.m. on weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends.
La Perla, perched on the edge of Old San Juan’s historic district was once infamous as a drug trafficking hub and a no-go zone for outsiders. Federal raids in 2011 and increased tourism after its appearance in the hit “Despacito” music video helped improve its image. Still, violence hasn’t disappeared entirely. In recent years, tourists have been stabbed, assaulted, and even killed under troublingly similar circumstances.
Puerto Rico, home to 3.2 million residents, has recorded 277 homicides so far this year, a slight decrease from 325 during the same period in 2024.
For the friends and family of Kevin Mares, the statistics are cold comfort. What was meant to be a weekend of music and memories instead ended in heartbreak another reminder that even in postcard-perfect places, tragedy can strike without warning.
-Deeprows News
