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Kalel Jorell Martínez Bristol faces charges including
first-degree murder, according to a statement from Puerto Rico’s
Justice Department.
Police have said the 25-year-old victim, Kevin Mares of New
York, was an innocent bystander when he was struck by a bullet
early Sunday while at a nightspot with friends in the seaside
community of La Perla.
Authorities accused Martínez of pulling out a gun and firing it
while arguing with people near Mares. Two people, a brother and
a sister who live in La Perla, were injured.
Defense attorney Pedro Rivera told reporters that he was “very
surprised” authorities didn’t file attempted murder charges,
saying that casts doubt over the entire case.
Martínez Bristol is being held on an $800,000 bond.
The community of La Perla is located on the outskirts of Old San
Juan and once served as Puerto Rico’s biggest distribution point
for heroin. It became popular with tourists after Puerto Rican
singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featured the community in
their hit, “Despacito.”
But isolated violence persists.
In February 2023, three tourists were stabbed after police said
a person told them to stop filming inside the community.
Then in April 2024, a 24-year-old tourist from Delaware was
killed and his body set on fire after police said he and a
friend were attacked following a drug purchase. Police said the
victims were trying to take pictures of La Perla after being
warned not to do so.
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