A devastating tragedy has struck both New York and Puerto Rico as friends, family, and fans mourn the death of Kevin Mares, a 25-year-old U.S. tourist who was fatally shot early Sunday morning in La Perla, a well-known seaside neighborhood in San Juan.
According to Puerto Rican police, Mares had been visiting the island to attend Bad Bunny’s highly anticipated residency shows, an event that has drawn thousands of fans from around the world. Authorities say the shooting occurred in the early hours of the morning in La Perla, a colorful but historically crime-plagued district that sits just outside the old city walls of San Juan.
Police reports indicate that Mares was in the area when gunfire erupted. Despite rapid emergency response, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have not yet disclosed a possible motive, and no arrests have been announced as of Sunday afternoon.
La Perla, made internationally famous by its appearance in the music video for Luis Fonsi’s hit song Despacito, has long been a site of cultural significance and local life but also a neighborhood where violence occasionally flares. Authorities are now working to piece together the chain of events that led to the shooting, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses.
Kevin Mares, who lived in New York, is being remembered by loved ones as a vibrant, adventurous young man with a passion for music, travel, and life. Friends describe him as someone who radiated positivity, loved meeting new people, and cherished experiencing different cultures. His decision to attend Bad Bunny’s residency in Puerto Rico was part of his love for music and the island’s rich culture.
The Puerto Rico Police Department’s Homicide Division has taken charge of the investigation. Officials have urged anyone with information to come forward, stressing the importance of community cooperation in solving the case.
As news of Mares’s death spreads, condolences are pouring in from both New York and Puerto Rico, with many expressing heartbreak over a life taken far too soon. His passing has cast a shadow over what should have been a celebratory trip, turning joy into grief for those who knew and loved him.
Funeral arrangements for Kevin Mares are expected to be announced by his family in the coming days as they prepare to bring him back home to New York.
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