Accused Individuals Indicted for Fatal Assault of a Tourist, Residing in New York City, Attending Bad Bunny's performance in Puerto Rico: Authorities
In the heart of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 10, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in the vibrant neighbourhood of La Perla. The victim was Kevin Mares, a 25-year-old tourist from Queens, New York, who lost his life in an altercation that he had no relation to.
Kalel Jorell Martinez Bristol, a local resident, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Mares' death. Martinez Bristol also faces charges under Puerto Rico's Weapons Law for possessing and carrying a firearm without a license, as well as discharging and pointing a firearm. He is currently being held on a $800,000 bond and is scheduled for his next court hearing on August 28, 2025.
Mares, born and raised in Queens with his younger brother, was described by his parents as a "lovely son" in an interview with WABC. Two other individuals were also wounded in the shooting incident.
The Puerto Rico Justice Department has vowed to ensure that Martinez Bristol faces the judicial process. In a statement, Justice Secretary Lourdes L. Gomez Torres stated, "Kevin Mares' death will not go unanswered." However, the statement did not provide any updates on the status of the other individuals involved in the shooting incident, or any new developments in the case.
The details of the off-duty NYPD police officer's death in Midtown Manhattan, which occurred around the same time, are not related to the incident involving Kevin Mares.
As the community mourns the loss of Mares, his family will be holding a memorial service for him on Saturday. The case has received significant attention, with the Justice Department committing to ensuring that Martinez Bristol faces the full extent of the law. However, no new witnesses, evidence, or investigations have been reported since the initial incident.
[1] WABC News, "Queens man killed in Puerto Rico shooting," August 11, 2025, https://abc7ny.com/queens-man-killed-in-puerto-rico-shooting/12592507/
[2] El Nuevo Día, "Justicia: El hombre acusado del asesinato de un turista en La Perla," August 12, 2025, https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/nota/justicia-el-hombre-acusado-del-asesinato-de-un-turista-en-la-perla-1923833/
[3] Puerto Rico Daily Sun, "Justice Department: Man arrested for murder in La Perla shooting," August 11, 2025, https://puertoricodailysun.com/2025/08/11/justice-department-man-arrested-for-murder-in-la-perla-shooting/
[4] New York Daily News, "Queens man killed in Puerto Rico shooting," August 11, 2025, https://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/queens-man-killed-puerto-rico-shooting-article-1.4489103
[5] CNN, "Man arrested in connection with shooting death of tourist in Puerto Rico," August 11, 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/11/americas/puerto-rico-tourist-shooting-arrest/index.html
- The international media has been covering the tragedy in Puerto Rico, reporting on the arrest of Kalel Jorell Martinez Bristol in connection with the shooting death of tourist Kevin Mares in the La Perla neighborhood of San Juan. (crime-and-justice, international, general-news)
- The Justice Department in Puerto Rico has committed to ensuring that Martinez Bristol faces the full extent of the law, following his charges for first-degree murder and weapons violations. (justice, crime-and-justice, politics)
- recent events involving a shooting incident in Puerto Rico have raised concerns and generated discussions about public safety, especially in popular tourist destinations such as La Perla. (general-news, crime-and-justice, politics)
