Tourist killed in La Perla during Bad Bunny residency

A tourist from New York is killed in La Perla during a predawn shooting tied to Bad Bunny's residency in San Juan.

United States tourist killed in La Perla during Bad Bunny residency

A 25-year-old man from New York, Kevin Mares, was fatally shot early Sunday at a nightspot near La Perla in San Juan. Police said the shooting happened during an altercation at Shelter for Mistreated Men. Mares was shot on the left side of the abdomen and died at Puerto Rico's largest public hospital. Two other men from La Perla were injured and remained hospitalized.

Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz said investigators are in the early stages and motive has not yet been established, noting that interviews are ongoing. He said Mares was an innocent bystander visiting Puerto Rico with friends for one of Bad Bunny's concerts, a residency that has drawn tens of thousands of visitors to the territory. The police stated they did not have the hometowns of Mares's friends. La Perla sits on the edge of Old San Juan and has a long history of violence and reform efforts, including past federal raids and changes in public perception linked to the Despacito music video.

The incident underscores how a popular music residency can amplify both tourism and risk in a tight, historical neighborhood. When a major artist brings crowds to an island, authorities face pressure to ensure safety without turning away visitors. La Perla’s past—once marked by violence and then portrayed more positively through media and cultural moments—illustrates how quickly perceptions can shift, for better or worse, based on a single high-profile event. The balance between inviting tourism and protecting residents will be tested as investigations unfold and more visitors return for concerts.

Highlights

Safety and accountability will shape how the island balances welcoming visitors with protecting a local community.