José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, known professionally as El Taiger, a 37-year-old Cuban reggaeton artist, died on October 10, 2024, in Miami, Florida. He succumbed to his injuries a week after being shot in the head. The incident occurred on October 3, 2024, shortly after 7 a.m., when police responded to reports of a man shot inside a black Mercedes SUV near NW 17th St. and 10 Ave in Miami.
El Taiger was found shot in the head and was immediately rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where he underwent surgery and was placed on life support due to severe brain damage.
Despite the tireless efforts of the medical team, El Taiger's condition did not improve significantly over the week, and he was eventually pronounced dead on October 10, 2024. His family and representatives expressed their gratitude to the medical team and the millions who offered prayers and tributes during his hospitalization. The family's statement encouraged fans to remember El Taiger for the joy he brought through his music and to celebrate his life by continuing to play and dance to his songs.
The investigation into El Taiger's death was taken over by the Miami-Dade police. Initially, Damian Valdez Galloso was identified as a person of interest in the case. He was later found in New York City and taken into custody. Galloso has since been named the primary suspect in the murder and has been charged with El Taiger's death. According to the arrest report, Galloso shot El Taiger and was seen cleaning up the scene while the body was in the SUV, with the shooting captured on surveillance video. Galloso was brought back to Miami and is currently facing charges related to the murder.
