Damián Valdez Galloso has been formally charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cuban singer El Taiger, authorities announced on Wednesday. The prosecution updated the charges against Valdez Galloso, who fatally shot the 37-year-old reggaeton artist José Manuel Carvajal Zaldívar, better known as El Taiger, on October 3rd.
In the early hours of that day, El Taiger was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head inside a car near Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a week later. This tragic event marked a significant loss for both the urban music scene and Cuban music.
The formal charges were filed on Wednesday following a grand jury indictment, and the case will be overseen by Judge Milton Hirsch at the Miami-Dade Justice Building, as reported by Telemundo 51. Valdez Galloso is facing three felony charges: first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and illegal possession of firearms by a convicted felon, according to court documents.
A hearing for the charges will take place at 9:00 a.m. this Thursday, January 30th. If found guilty of first-degree murder, Valdez Galloso could face a life sentence or the death penalty in the state of Florida.
Initially, the prosecution had charged the only suspect in the Cuban singer's death with second-degree murder, which was elevated to first-degree in late November. The request to increase the charge was driven by demands from thousands of fans, the community, and El Taiger's manager, Teresa Padrón, who led a petition campaign to pressure the authorities.
During Valdez Galloso's first appearance in Miami-Dade's criminal court in early November 2024, Judge Mindy S. Glazer questioned why a more severe charge was not brought against him, given the circumstances described in the court records. Judge Glazer denied bail for the second-degree murder charge.
Second-degree murder occurs without prior planning or deliberation; it results from a spontaneous act or intentional action where the intention to kill was not present at the onset. In contrast, first-degree murder involves premeditation, indicating a planned and deliberate act.
On the morning of October 3, 2024, Valdez Galloso allegedly shot El Taiger from the front entrance of his home and used a back door to exit. A surveillance video from a nearby residence captured him arriving at the scene, dragging the wounded El Taiger by the ankles, and placing him in a vehicle. After cleaning the crime scene, Valdez Galloso changed clothes and drove the car to the vicinity of the trauma center at Jackson Memorial Hospital around 6:00 a.m. He later called 911 himself. Police arrived at 6:45 a.m. to find the singer bleeding from the head in the back of a Mercedes Benz van near the intersection of Northwest 9th Avenue and 17th Street in Miami.
The reggaeton artist was immediately taken to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition until he passed away on October 10th.
Considered by the police as the sole suspect in El Taiger's murder, Valdez Galloso was sought as a "person of interest" with a $5,000 reward offered for information leading to his whereabouts. He was eventually apprehended on October 29th in New York after more than 20 days on the run.
On November 6th, Valdez Galloso was extradited to Miami-Dade under strict security measures. Upon his arrival at Miami International Airport, he underwent a thorough examination, following standard protocol to ensure the safety and integrity of the proceedings.
Valdez Galloso, aged 49 and known by the alias "El Narra," has a documented criminal history spanning over a decade, including convictions for sexual offenses and thefts, as well as detentions by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Between 2007 and 2018, he amassed six convictions, including two cases involving sexual relations with minors aged 16 to 17, and three for failing to register as a sex offender. In 2018, he was convicted of grand theft, and in 2015 and 2019, he faced ICE detentions. He was last released from prison in September 2020 and faced a grand theft charge in 2021 in Miami-Dade County.
Key Questions on Damián Valdez Galloso's Legal Case
What charges does Damián Valdez Galloso face?
Damián Valdez Galloso faces charges of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and illegal possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
What are the potential penalties for Valdez Galloso if convicted?
If convicted of first-degree murder, Valdez Galloso could face a life sentence or the death penalty in Florida.
Why was the charge against Valdez Galloso increased to first-degree murder?
The charge was elevated to first-degree murder due to demands from El Taiger's fans, the community, and his manager, as well as judicial observations regarding evidence of premeditation.