• A 25-year-old tourist from New York, Kevin Mares, was fatally shot in Puerto Rico.
• The incident occurred in La Perla while Mares was visiting for a Bad Bunny concert.
• Police have reported that Mares was an innocent bystander caught in a dispute.
• Violent incidents around La Perla persist despite improvements in safety.
• Mares' family is calling for justice and any information on the shooter.

A tourist from New York, identified as Kevin Mares, was fatally shot early Sunday morning while visiting Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert. The incident occurred in La Perla, a coastal shantytown, at a nightspot known as "Shelter for Mistreated Men." Police reported that Mares was shot in the abdomen during an argument between several individuals nearby. He later died at Puerto Rico's largest public hospital, while two locals also suffered injuries during the incident, remaining hospitalized afterwards, according to CBS News and LA Times.

Authorities have confirmed that Mares was considered an innocent bystander, as he had traveled with friends specifically to attend one of Bad Bunny's 30 concerts, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to Puerto Rico. The shooting took place in the predawn hours when an argument escalated. Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz noted that investigators are still gathering information and have not yet identified any suspects, stating, "We have very little information," according to The Hill and Newsweek.

Mares' family is now calling for justice and asking anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward. His father, Hector Mares, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses as the family works to have Kevin’s body returned to New York. “Whoever did this took from us a piece of us, you know?” said Sandra Mares, Kevin's mother. The family is heartbroken, with Sandra sharing how their son was a devoted friend and had aspirations to propose to his girlfriend in the coming months, according to LA Times and CBS News.

Despite some improvements in the safety of La Perla since significant law enforcement actions in 2011, incidents of violence have continued. In recent years, other tourists have also been victims of violent acts in the area, complicating the perception of safety amidst the popularity of events like Bad Bunny’s concert series, as highlighted by Newsweek and LA Times.