The case against Damián Valdez-Galloso, charged with the murder of Cuban reggaeton star El Taiger, has taken several turns as the accused continues to deny any responsibility in the fatal shooting. Valdez-Galloso, who is now in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, was extradited to South Florida and charged with second-degree murder following the October 2024 incident, as reported by Hoodline.
In a video obtained by NBC 6 Miami, Valdez-Galloso is seen speaking with a detective, stating, "You guys know I didn't kill him." He claims during the interrogation that El Taiger, whose real name was José Manuel Carbajal Zaldivar, had visited his Hialeah home asking to borrow $20,000, despite owing him $18,000. Valdez-Galloso alleges that two men accompanied the singer, and it was after he momentarily went inside his house that he found El Taiger's body in front of the home.
The plot thickens with Valdez-Galloso's insistence on his innocence, which was reinforced by the release of audiotapes where he describes a third party as a possible accomplice. In new details revealed by CiberCuba News, he recounted El Taiger arriving at his house with two men, before he found the rapper covered in blood at his doorstep.
Despite efforts to clean blood traces from his residence, forensic evidence links Valdez-Galloso to the crime scene. Miami-Dade authorities continue piecing together digital and forensic evidence to solve the case. Meanwhile, the Miami music community grieves the loss of El Taiger. who had a significant following with over 1 million Instagram fans. Valdez-Galloso maintains that he acted in self-defense and pleads not guilty to the charges, with his trial set for September 15, according to CiberCuba News.
Authorities have not yet concluded on the full narrative of events leading to El Taiger's death. The investigation continues, with detectives urging anyone who has information to come forward and call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
