Three U.S. tourists from the country's mainland may have run afoul of some locals in a popular Puerto Rico neighborhood, leading to a stabbing incident. It happened in a renowned seaside community known as La Perla, which is popular with tourists.

According to the Associated Press, one of the tourists from South Carolina was filming a mobile hamburger cart when told to stop filming and leave the area. That led to a confrontation with the tourists being attacked and stabbed.

The incident reportedly happened early Monday in front of the monastery on San Sebastian Street in Old San Juan, a historic part of Puerto Rico's capital that used to be known as an infamous drug den.

Two of the U.S. tourists were still hospitalized, one suffering six stab wounds from the attack. The two in the hospital are reportedly in stable condition, according to police.

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U.S. Tourists in Puerto Rico Continued Filming After Being Warned

The man who warned the tourists told them they were not welcome. However, despite the apparent threat, the tourists continued filming.

The man then assaulted the first victim, prompting two of the tourists to run away and leave the area. However, they soon realized they were being followed, with the man attacking them with a knife. The victims were identified as Carlos Sanchez of South Carolina, the one filming the burger cart, as well as Wallace Alonso and Jackson Brandom. 

Brandom was the one who was stabbed six times. He reportedly has stab wounds on his left chest, upper left abdomen, left arm, and back. Alonso reportedly refused medical assistance.

Authorities in San Juan mobilized soon after, though no suspect has been arrested yet. They are now looking for an individual described as well-built with long hair and a white complexion, according to Telemundo Puerto Rico.

La Perla Used to Be Dangerous but Is Now a Popular Puerto Rico Tourist Destination

La Perla is located in historic Old San Juan. While it is a popular tourist spot today, it used to be a dangerous slum in Puerto Rico, considered "the island's biggest distribution point for heroin," according to AP.

However, it all changed after a raid by U.S. federal agents in 2011, and crime in the area has reportedly dropped ever since. The area gained mainstream popularity after it was featured in the video of "Despacito," a song by Puerto Rican singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee released in 2017.

But despite the recent developments, La Perla still holds some danger for tourists. Two years ago, another tourist from the U.S. mainland was killed and set on fire. Police said he had already been warned not to take pictures while buying drugs in La Perla. A friend of the victim reportedly survived but was beaten up, according to NBC Bay Area.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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