MDPD takes over El Taiger murder investigation; Suspect extradited, charged

MIAMI – Miami-Dade police have opened the investigation into the murder of Jose Manuel Carvajal Zaldivar, known as “El Taiger.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Damian Valdez Galloso, the suspect in the case, was extradited to Miami-Dade County by the department's Warrants Bureau.

Upon his arrival, Galloso was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and faces charges of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

El Taiger was discovered Oct. 3 with a gunshot wound to the head in the back seat of an SUV in Allapattah on NW 17th Street, near Jackson Memorial Hospital. However, police say he was shot at a home on SE 5th Street in Hialeah where Galloso was renting.

Authorities said Galloso's arrest was the result of close cooperation between the Miami-Dade Police Department, the Hialeah Police Department and the City of Miami Police Department.

Investigators said they were continuing to gather information to determine details surrounding the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477 or (305) 471-TIPS.

The investigation is ongoing.