Cuban musician Jose Manuel Carbajal Zaldivar, popularly known as ‘El Taiger,’ has passed away at the age of 37 after being shot in the head in Miami. According to his family, El Taiger died on Thursday, October 10, a week after he was found with a gunshot wound to the head.
El Taiger was discovered unconscious in the back of a Mercedes-Benz SUV in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood on October 3. He was immediately taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in a very critical condition. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.
The Miami Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. They have identified 49-year-old Damian Valdez-Galloso as a person of interest and have released a wanted poster for him. Police believe the shooting may not have occurred at the location where the SUV was found, suggesting that El Taiger might have been shot elsewhere and then driven to the scene.
El Taiger was a prominent figure in the ‘urbano’ music scene, known for blending reggaeton with traditional Cuban sounds. His popular tracks include ‘La Historia,’ ‘Papelito,’ and ‘Habla Matador.’ The Cuban Institute of Music and the iconic band Los Van Van have expressed their condolences, celebrating his contributions to Cuban music.
Fans of El Taiger have paid heartfelt tributes to him, gathering outside the hospital where he passed away and in Havana. They played his music, honked car horns, and lit candles to honor his memory. His family has urged fans to celebrate his life by playing his music and dancing.
