A New York man who was fatally shot in Puerto Rico’s La Perla neighborhood in San Juan on Sunday is remembered by his loved ones as a cherished son, friend, and a source of inspiration to all who knew him.
Kevin Mares, 25, was visiting the island with friends to attend a Bad Bunny concert. On that Sunday, Mares was out when a fight began across the street, his father, Hector Mares, told NBC New York.
“Somebody got a gun and start shooting, and unfortunately they hit my son in the abdomen,” Hector Mares said.
According to Homicide detective Sgt. Arnaldo Ruiz, Mares was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of the shooting. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Mares’ death has left his family completely devastated and in shock.
“My son, everybody loves him, everybody,” Hector Mares shared with NBC New York. “He was doing well in school, he was working. When he came home from work, he took care of his pets, and he loved cooking.”
The last time he saw his son was right before he left for Puerto Rico.
“We say, ‘Goodbye, take care, see you soon, we’re gonna miss you,'” Hector Mares recalled. “We never, never expected that would be the last time we see him.”
Mares’ mother, Sandra Mares, was in disbelief when she was told of her son’s passing.
“We couldn’t believe it,” she told NBC New York in Spanish. “We thought it was a joke.”
Sandra recalled spending weekends with her son, when the family would get together to grill hamburgers and hotdogs, or sing karaoke.
All Mares’ parents now want is for their son’s body to be returned to New York. They have started a GoFundMe to assist with body transfer and funerary expenses.
The family remembered Mares as “a deeply loved son, devoted friend, and a source of inspiration to everyone who knew him,” who had a bright future ahead of him.
“His wholehearted kindness, adventurous spirit, and unwavering commitment to family made him a pillar of strength for his loved ones,” his family said on the GoFundMe page.
Mares was planning to propose to his girlfriend of six years this fall, according to his family.
“Family was at the center of everything he did, and his sudden passing has left an unfillable void in our lives,” the family said.
The investigation into the shooting that killed Mares is ongoing.
