Video Leak Reveals Interrogation of Damián Valdez After Arrest for El Taiger's Murder

In a recently leaked video, Damián Valdez Galloso fervently maintains his innocence, asserting that he neither fired the fatal shot nor intended harm. He claims to have transported El Taiger to the hospital and dialed 911 for help. This footage, showcasing the interrogation of the alleged perpetrator of the October 2024 crime in Hialeah, was released by Telemundo 51.

The over 30-minute recording captures Valdez attempting to elucidate the events of the early hours on October 3rd, when the Cuban singer José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, famously known as El Taiger, was discovered with gunshot wounds, left abandoned in the back of an SUV. Tragically, the artist succumbed to his injuries on October 10th, a week after the shooting, sending shockwaves through the Cuban entertainment industry both on and off the island.

During the interrogation, Valdez repeatedly denies any wrongdoing. "I called 911 from my phone and took him from my house; you know I didn't kill him," he insists. He further implicates others, alleging El Taiger arrived with two men seeking a $20,000 loan, despite an existing debt. Shortly after their conversation, he found the reggaeton artist injured outside his home and decided to rush him to the hospital.

The authorities, however, present a starkly different narrative. According to the arrest affidavit, Valdez allegedly shot El Taiger in the head, an incident reportedly captured by a security camera. The video also shows Valdez expressing his fears, hoping that the victim would recover to clarify the situation, only to be told by the detective, "That's not going to happen." In resignation, Valdez mutters, "Misfortune for me."

Valdez faces charges of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In early November, he was ordered to be held without bail, having pleaded not guilty while his defense suggests self-defense, as reported by Telemundo 51.

The leak of the interrogation video adds complexity to an already convoluted case under public scrutiny. Newly revealed court documents corroborate that the artist suffered wounds consistent with close-range gunfire, and blood traces were found at Valdez’s residence, despite his denials of involvement.

Although a trial date was initially set for May, it was postponed due to defense appeals citing inconsistencies in the case file. The trial is now scheduled for September 15th, as stated by Teresa Padrón. A crucial element in the proceedings is Valdez's 911 call, reporting an "accident" after leaving El Taiger's body at the hospital entrance. The audio, circulated in U.S. media, features a nervous man, yet one who stops short of admitting direct guilt, aligning with his recent statements disavowing responsibility and pointing to another person as the actual shooter.