The vibrant streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, were supposed to be filled with celebration and music on the night of August 9, 2025. Tourists and locals alike flocked to the city for a Bad Bunny concert, an event that drew fans from across the globe. Among them was 25-year-old Kevin Mares, a veterinary technician from Queens, New York, who traveled to the island with his girlfriend, Angy Arguello, and friends. But what began as a joyful night ended in tragedy, as Mares became the innocent victim of a fatal shooting in the early morning hours of August 10.
Authorities in Puerto Rico have since arrested and charged Kalel Jorell Martínez Bristol, 38, with first-degree murder in connection with Mares’ death. According to the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, Martínez Bristol was arraigned on August 15 and faces not only the murder charge but also two additional counts under Puerto Rico 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 an $800,000 bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for August 28, 2025, as reported by ABC News and the New York Daily News.
The incident unfolded in La Perla, a neighborhood in San Juan known for its colorful history and more recently as a tourist hotspot after being featured in the music video for “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Once regarded as a particularly dangerous area—where even police were said to tread carefully—La Perla has undergone a transformation in the past decade, especially following a major federal raid in 2011 that resulted in dozens of arrests and the conviction of a local community leader. Still, the events of that night served as a stark reminder of the area’s complicated legacy.
On the evening of August 9, Mares and Arguello attended the Bad Bunny concert and its lively after-party. As the night wore on, Arguello, tired from the festivities, decided to return to their hotel room. Mares, a devoted fan of the Latin trap and reggaeton superstar, opted to stay out with friends a bit longer. Before parting ways, Arguello recalled telling Mares, “Please, be safe,” after he asked her permission to continue celebrating. It was a simple, loving request—one that now echoes with heartbreaking resonance.
At around 4 a.m. on August 10, as Mares stood with friends in La Perla, an argument broke out nearby. According to officials, the “heated discussion escalated,” leading Martínez Bristol to open fire. Mares, who had no connection to the altercation, was struck by a stray bullet and killed. Two other individuals—a brother and sister from La Perla—were also wounded but survived the shooting, according to statements from authorities cited by ABC News and the New York Daily News.
Claudia Saenz, a family friend, summed up the cruel randomness of the tragedy: “They were standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Mares’ mother, Sandra Mares, later revealed to The News that her son had confided in her about his plans to propose to Arguello in the fall. The couple had been together for seven years, and Arguello, upon learning of Mares’ intentions, said through tears, “I was waiting for him. Of course I would have [said yes].”
Mares’ life was one marked by kindness and dedication. Born and raised in Queens to parents originally from Mexico, he worked as a veterinary technician on Long Island while pursuing his dream of becoming a veterinarian. His love for animals was matched only by his devotion to family, friends, and music. “He cared about all of us, his family, his friends. He has a lot of friends who’s really going to miss him, too,” Sandra Mares told WABC in an interview.
The aftermath of the shooting has been marked by grief and a search for justice. The Mares family has organized a memorial service for Kevin, scheduled for August 23, and launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of returning his body home to East Elmhurst, Queens. The outpouring of support from friends, family, and even strangers has provided some solace amid the heartbreak.
Puerto Rico’s Justice Secretary, Lourdes L. Gómez Torres, has vowed that the killing will not go unpunished. In a statement, she declared, “This death will not go unchallenged. We at the Justice Department will persevere to ensure that the accused faces the full force of the law.” Torres emphasized that the department will “persevere so that the accused faces the judicial process with the full weight of the law.”
Martínez Bristol, who has a prior criminal record, was swiftly apprehended and arraigned in connection with the shooting. The charges against him include first-degree murder as well as violations of Puerto Rico’s weapons laws, specifically for possessing and carrying a firearm without a license, and for discharging and pointing a firearm. He is being held on an $800,000 bond, and his next court date is set for August 28 in San Juan. The severity of the charges underscores the authorities’ determination to hold those responsible accountable, especially in cases involving innocent victims.
The shooting has also reignited conversations about safety in popular tourist areas and the persistent challenges some neighborhoods face, even as they gain international recognition. La Perla’s journey from a place once avoided by law enforcement to a backdrop for global pop hits is emblematic of Puerto Rico’s broader struggles and aspirations. Yet, as this tragedy makes painfully clear, progress can be fragile, and the scars of the past are never far beneath the surface.
For the Mares family, the loss is immeasurable. Kevin’s mother and father, speaking to WABC, described their son as a “lovely son” who was deeply committed to those he loved. The family’s grief is compounded by the knowledge that Kevin’s life was cut short just as he was preparing to embark on a new chapter, one that would have included a marriage proposal to the woman he loved.
The case has drawn widespread attention both in Puerto Rico and New York, with many expressing outrage that a young man’s life could be so senselessly taken during what should have been a time of joy and celebration. As the legal process unfolds, the Mares family and their supporters are left to mourn—and to hope that justice will bring some measure of closure.
In the end, the story of Kevin Mares is a sobering reminder of the unpredictable turns life can take. It is also a testament to the enduring bonds of family, love, and community—bonds that persist even in the face of unimaginable loss.
