A 37-year-old man with a criminal history has surrendered to Puerto Rican authorities in connection with the fatal shooting of a New York tourist who had traveled to the island for Bad Bunny’s residency.
Prosecutors said Kalel Jorell Martínez Bristol faces first-degree murder charges in the death of 25-year-old Kevin Mares. The Justice Department announced Martínez Bristol turned himself in on Friday and is being held on an $800,000 bond.
Police said Mares was shot early Sunday in La Perla, a seaside neighborhood outside Old San Juan, while spending the evening with friends. Investigators allege Martínez Bristol pulled a gun during an argument and opened fire. Mares, who was not involved in the dispute, was struck and killed. Two local residents, a brother and a sister, were wounded but survived.
Defense attorney Pedro Rivera criticized the charges, saying he was surprised prosecutors did not file attempted murder counts for the other two victims. He argued the decision raised questions about the strength of the case.
The killing has renewed scrutiny of La Perla, a community with a history of crime and a reputation that has complicated its emergence as a tourist destination. Once Puerto Rico’s largest heroin distribution hub, La Perla gained international attention in 2017 after being featured in Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s hit “Despacito.” Tourists now visit the area for its coastal views and colorful murals.
But violence continues to surface. In February 2023, three tourists were stabbed after being told to stop filming in the neighborhood. In April 2024, a 24-year-old man from Delaware was killed and set on fire after police said he and a friend were attacked following a drug-related encounter. Authorities said the visitors had been warned not to take photographs in La Perla.
For Mares’s family and friends, the trip meant to celebrate music turned into tragedy. His death has reignited safety concerns about La Perla, where efforts to attract visitors often collide with lingering violence.
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