Reggaeton artist José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, famously known as “El Taiger,” passed away at the age of 37, nearly one week after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head in Miami, Florida.
El Taiger, a beloved Cuban musician, was discovered critically wounded in the back of a black Mercedes-Benz SUV near Jackson Memorial Hospital in the Allapattah neighborhood of Miami on October 4, 2024. He succumbed to his injuries on October 10, according to an announcement made on his official Instagram account.
The Instagram post, written in Spanish, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans during the challenging week after his injury. The medical staff at Jackson Memorial Hospital, who worked tirelessly to save him, were also acknowledged. The family of El Taiger thanked everyone for their prayers, noting that the artist is now reunited with his mother in heaven, according to the statement.
Upon arrival at the hospital, El Taiger was in “very critical condition” and required emergency surgery, as revealed by Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales. Authorities suspect the shooting took place elsewhere and the artist was then driven near the hospital.
Police are currently in search of Damian Valdez-Galloso, alias “El Narra,” 49, a person of interest in the investigation. Valdez-Galloso, a registered sex offender with a criminal past, is reportedly the last person seen with El Taiger.
Artists who are familiar with El Taiger reported that “El Narra” supplied drugs to the reggaeton performer, whom he regarded as a friend and would enthusiastically introduce at gatherings. The dealer rented the hotel room where the artist slept the night before the attack. A robust police operation was set up at his home in Hialeah, but El Narra was not present, and his phone was powered off. Miami police are providing a $5,000 reward for any information that can assist in locating him, as they think he possesses valuable details that could aid in resolving the case.
In Miami, a memorial for El Taiger was held at the location where he was found, near Jackson Memorial Hospital on Northwest 17th Street. On the evening of his death, fans gathered to honor the Cuban reggaeton artist. His music played from passing cars, creating a solemn atmosphere for the vigil. Attendees left candles, flowers, stuffed animals, and personal notes as a touching tribute to the cherished figure in the Cuban community.
Jonathan Esponda, a close friend of El Taiger, spoke about the artist’s talent and influential presence in their community. Another fan, Daniel Andrade, reminisced about the joy and memories the artist’s music and dance brought to their lives. Both Esponda and Aracely Quijano underscored the community’s call for justice and the need for those responsible to be held accountable.
Oniel Bebeshito, a fellow Cuban artist, expressed his sorrow on social media, writing, “In a black and white world, you were a color in my personal life and in my career, my brother. Wherever you are, I want you to know that an entire country had faith until the last minute.”
El Taiger, a prominent figure in the reggaeton genre, released numerous singles and EPs during his career that earned him a substantial following. His latest song, “Bonita,” was released in May. Despite facing legal issues earlier this year, including charges of strong-arm robbery and resisting an officer, to which he pleaded not guilty, he remained a much-loved figure amongst his fans who hoped for his recovery.
The Miami Police Department is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest in connection with the incident. As stated in the police report, El Narra stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs around 186 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes, and has tattoos on both arms and across the chest.
