In the vibrant, sun-soaked streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, a devastating tragedy has unfolded, leaving communities in New York and Puerto Rico reeling with grief. Kevin Mares, a 25-year-old New Yorker with a zest for life and a love for music, was fatally shot in the early hours of Sunday, August 10, 2025, in the colorful yet troubled neighborhood of La Perla. His journey to the island, filled with anticipation for Bad Bunny’s electrifying residency shows at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, ended in an unimaginable loss that has shattered the hearts of friends, family, and fans alike.

The incident occurred in the predawn hours at a nightspot known as “Shelter for Mistreated Men” in La Perla, a seaside shantytown nestled just outside the historic walls of Old San Juan. According to Puerto Rican police, Mares was an innocent bystander caught in a deadly altercation. Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz revealed that the shooting stemmed from an argument among several individuals near Mares, escalating when one person drew a gun and fired, striking at least three people. Mares suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the left side of his abdomen and was rushed to Puerto Rico’s largest public hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries. Two other men, identified as Keila Meléndez Beltrán, 45, and Miguel A. Meléndez Beltrán, 46, both La Perla residents, were also injured and remain hospitalized.
Mares had traveled to Puerto Rico with three friends, all fellow New Yorkers, to immerse themselves in the cultural phenomenon of Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” World Tour residency, a 30-concert spectacle that has drawn tens of thousands to the island. The residency, running from July through September 2025, celebrates the Puerto Rican superstar’s roots and has transformed San Juan into a hub of music and revelry. For Mares, the trip was a chance to connect with the island’s vibrant culture and the pulsating energy of Bad Bunny’s performances, a reflection of his deep passion for music and adventure.

La Perla, with its brightly painted homes cascading down the hillside to the Atlantic Ocean, holds a complex place in Puerto Rico’s heart. Immortalized in the global hit “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, the neighborhood has transitioned from a notorious hub for heroin distribution to a cultural landmark that draws tourists seeking its raw, authentic charm. A 2011 federal raid significantly reduced violence, and the community has worked to shed its dangerous reputation, welcoming visitors with open arms. Yet, despite these efforts, isolated acts of violence persist, casting a shadow over its progress. In February 2023, three tourists were stabbed in La Perla after being told to stop filming, and in April 2024, a 24-year-old Delaware tourist was killed and his body set on fire following a drug-related altercation. These incidents underscore the neighborhood’s ongoing struggle to balance its cultural allure with its turbulent past.

The Puerto Rico Police Department’s Homicide Division, led by Sgt. Ruiz and assisted by fiscal Leanabel Alvarado, is diligently investigating Mares’s death. Authorities are combing through surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, but critical details remain elusive. “We have very little information,” Ruiz admitted, noting that the motive for the argument and a description of the shooter are still unknown. The police have issued a heartfelt plea for community cooperation, urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring justice for Mares and closure for his loved ones.

Kevin Mares is remembered as a beacon of light by those who knew him. Friends paint a picture of a young man who lived life to the fullest, his infectious positivity brightening every room. His love for travel and music was matched only by his curiosity for new cultures, making his trip to Puerto Rico a natural extension of his adventurous spirit. Social media has been flooded with tributes, with friends sharing memories of his laughter, kindness, and unwavering enthusiasm. “Kevin was the guy who made every moment feel like a celebration,” one friend wrote. “He didn’t just love music—he lived it.”

As news of his death reverberates, condolences have poured in from New York to San Juan, uniting strangers in shared sorrow. The tragedy has cast a pall over Bad Bunny’s residency, transforming a celebration of Puerto Rican pride into a moment of collective mourning. The island, which has reported 277 killings in 2025 compared to 325 in the same period last year, continues to grapple with violence, even as it strives to be a welcoming destination for visitors.

Mares’s family is preparing to bring him back to New York, where funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days. For now, they are enveloped in grief, supported by a community that shares their pain. The loss of Kevin Mares is not just a personal tragedy but a stark reminder of the fragility of life, even in moments meant for joy. As Puerto Rico and New York mourn together, the hope for justice burns brightly, a beacon for a young man whose light was extinguished far too soon.