The journey to Puerto Rico was meant to be a celebration — a long-awaited probability for Kevin Mares, a 25-year-old veterinary scholar from Queens, to see Bad Bunny carry out reside. Instead, it resulted in tragedy.

Mares was fatally shot early Sunday in La Perla, a seaside neighborhood in Old San Juan that has struggled for many years with poverty and violent crime. He had traveled to the island together with his girlfriend and two associates, attending the sold-out live performance on Saturday evening earlier than heading to a nightclub.

His father, Hector Mares, mentioned the group was leaving the venue when an altercation erupted close by.

“Across the street, there was a crowd,” he mentioned in an interview. “They started arguing. One guy pulled out a gun and began shooting.”

Puerto Rican authorities mentioned three folks have been struck by gunfire. Mares, believed to be an unintended goal, was hit within the abdomen. He was taken to a hospital, the place he later died.

The different victims, each residents of La Perla, stay hospitalized. The police haven’t recognized any suspects.

Mayor Eric Adams of New York City referred to as the killing “a tragic loss to gun violence” and supplied condolences to Mares’ household.

Raised in East Elmhurst, Mares lived together with his dad and mom and 15-year-old brother. He labored two part-time jobs whereas pursuing his research and was identified amongst associates for his cooking expertise, love of karaoke, and devotion to Bad Bunny’s music.

His mom, Sandra, mentioned the journey had been deliberate for months. “Every time Bad Bunny comes here, they go to almost all his concerts,” she mentioned.

Learning of her son’s loss of life from his girlfriend, she recalled: “She said, ‘I’m sorry. We lost him.’ The gunman took a piece of us.”

The household is coordinating with Puerto Rican authorities to carry Mares’ physique house for burial. They are interesting for witnesses to come back ahead.

“We want justice,” his mom mentioned, because the music that drew her son to Puerto Rico now stands in painful distinction to the violence that claimed his life.