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U.S. authorities revealed on Wednesday the recording of the 911 call made by Damian Valdez-Galloso, the man accused of murdering the Cuban reggaeton artist José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar "El Taiger," after leaving him abandoned in the trunk of a truck near Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.
The artist was found critically injured with a gunshot wound to the head inside a Mercedes Benz truck on October 3, 2024, near Northwest 9th Avenue and 17th Street, about two blocks from the emergency entrance of the medical center.
He passed away a week later, on October 10, due to his injuries.
In the recording, released this Wednesday by the prosecutor's office and cited by NBC Miami, Valdez-Galloso, 49 years old, describes in Spanish to the 911 operator how he "came across the vehicle running" and what appeared to be a person inside.
-“I was passing by, snooping around while parking, and I saw that the car was on,” he said.
-“It seemed strange to me. I didn’t see anyone there, I leaned in and it looked like there was a man lying in the car.”, he added.
The operator asks if the person seemed to be sleeping and if they tried to touch the window.
-“I called and she didn’t answer, but I saw a lot of blood on the ground”, Valdez-Galloso replies.
-“On the ground, outside of the car?”, the operator inquires.
-“No, inside the car, when I looked out the window,” he replies. “A man, yes. He is partially clothed”, he specified.
Prosecutors state that Valdez-Galloso is the main suspect in the murder of El Taiger. According to court documents, he was the one who shot the artist in the head after opening the door of his house during the early hours of the crime.
In addition, the scene was captured on video, according to police sources.
A video from a neighbor's surveillance camera shows that after shooting him, the accused dragged the artist across the ground of his patio to the Mercedes Benz SUV, struggled to lift him into the vehicle, made about six turns around the neighborhood before heading to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, and left the car abandoned near the emergency entrance of the medical center.
Afterwards, I would have made the call to 911.
Valdez-Galloso faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. He was arrested in New York less than three weeks after the homicide.
The case has garnered significant attention in the Latino community and among the followers of the Cuban artist. In recent weeks, a judge allowed the singer's business to continue operating under new management, while his four children may soon take legal control of his estate, according to court documents.
While the legal process continues, the release of the audio adds a new layer of controversy to the case, in which Valdez-Galloso claims he acted in self-defense.
Frequently Asked Questions about the murder case of El Taiger
Who is the main suspect in the murder of El Taiger?
The main suspect in the murder of El Taiger is Damián Valdez-Galloso, known by the alias "El Narra." He was accused of shooting the Cuban reggaeton artist in the head on October 3, 2024. Valdez-Galloso faces charges of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and illegal possession of weapons. He has an extensive criminal history, including sexual offenses and robberies.
How did the events unfold on the day of El Taiger's assassination?
On October 3, 2024, El Taiger was found with a gunshot wound to the head inside a truck near Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. According to reports, Damián Valdez-Galloso shot him from the door of his house and then dragged his body to the vehicle. He later cleaned the crime scene and left the body near the hospital.
Why is Damián Valdez-Galloso being accused of first-degree murder?
Damián Valdez-Galloso was charged with first-degree murder due to the premeditation and planning demonstrated in his actions. The initial charge of second-degree murder was escalated after a grand jury reviewed the evidence, including the intentional shooting to the head and the manipulation of the victim's body.
What evidence exists against Damián Valdez-Galloso in the El Taiger case?
The evidence against Damián Valdez-Galloso includes surveillance videos that captured the moment of the shooting and the subsequent actions of the accused, such as dragging the body and cleaning the crime scene. Additionally, there are testimonies and physical evidence recovered by the police at his residence.
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