The Authorities of Puerto Rico Have Charged a Suspect in the Murder of a Tourist

• A 37-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a tourist from New York.
• Kevin Meres became an accidental victim of a shooting in La Perla.
• La Perla is known for violence, regardless of its tourist popularity.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — On Friday, a 37-year-old man with a criminal past was arrested by the police and has been charged with the murder of a tourist from the USA, who was visiting the residence of popular singer Bad Bunny. According to information from the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, Kallel Horel Martinez is charged with first-degree murder.

The 25-year-old victim, Kevin Meres from New York, became an accidental victim when at 4 a.m. on Sunday he was shot while staying at a night club in the coastal area of La Perla. According to human rights advocates, Martinez fired a gun and opened fire during a super-ceremony with people who were gathered around Meres. Two local residents, a brother and sister, also received injuries.

The attorney representing Pedro Rivera expressed concern that the accused did not withdraw the charges of murder, which, in his opinion, raises serious doubts about the case as a whole. Martinez Bristol remains under a bail of $800,000.

La Perla, located on the outskirts of Old San Juan, was once the largest distribution point for heroin in Puerto Rico. This area has become popular among tourists after the Puerto Rican singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featured it in their hit "Despacito." However, violence in this area still continues.

In the summer of 2023, three tourists were stabbed after, as the police said, they were told to stop recording video in La Perla. And in April 2024, a 24-year-old tourist from Delaware was killed, and his body was burned after, as the police reported, he and a friend were attacked after purchasing narcotics.

Tags: USA/Crime