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4h ago

Puerto Rico Charges Man With First-Degree Murder in Tourist’s Death

The 37-year-old suspect is held on $800,000 bond with his attorney raising questions about the absence of attempted murder charges.

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FILE - An aerial view of the seaside neighborhood of La Perla, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is seen on Aug. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo, File)
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Overview

  • Kalel Jorell Martínez Bristol surrendered to authorities on August 15 and was charged with first-degree murder over the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Kevin Mares.
  • Police say that Martínez pulled a gun during an argument in La Perla, striking Mares and wounding two local residents.
  • Mares, a Queens native, had traveled to Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny’s sold-out concert residency that drew a surge of visitors.
  • Martínez Bristol is being held on an $800,000 bond while his defense attorney publicly questioned why attempted murder counts were not included.
  • The incident has intensified concerns about safety in La Perla, a seaside community with a history of isolated violence and rising tourist traffic.