A 37-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a New York tourist who was visiting Puerto Rico for a Bad Bunny concert. Kalel Jorell Martinez Bristol faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of 25-year-old Kevin Mares, who was shot on August 10. The Puerto Rico Department of Justice announced the charges in a press release.

In addition to the murder charge, Martinez Bristol is also facing two charges under Puerto Rico's Weapons Law. These include possessing and carrying a firearm without a license, as well as discharging and pointing a firearm.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. in La Perla, a neighborhood in San Juan. Mares was with friends when a nearby argument escalated. Officials reported that Martinez Bristol fired a gun, injuring two individuals and fatally striking Mares, who was not involved in the altercation.

Mares' parents described him as a "lovely son" in an interview. They noted that while they are originally from Mexico, Mares and his younger brother were born and raised in Queens, New York. "He cared about all of us, his family, his friends. He has a lot of friends who are really going to miss him, too," his mother, Sandra Mares, said.

The family plans to hold a memorial service for Mares on Saturday. Justice Secretary Lourdes L. Gomez Torres emphasized that Mares' death will not go unanswered. "The Justice Department will persevere so that the accused faces the judicial process with the full weight of the law," Torres stated.

Martinez Bristol is currently being held on an $800,000 bond and is scheduled for a court hearing on August 28. His defense attorney expressed surprise that authorities did not file attempted murder charges, suggesting this could cast doubt on the case.

La Perla, located on the outskirts of Old San Juan, has a history of violence despite its popularity with tourists. The area gained fame after being featured in the music video for "Despacito." However, incidents of violence have occurred, including stabbings and other attacks on tourists in recent years.