Cuban reggaetón artist El Taiger is in critical condition following the Miami shooting

Cuban artist José Manuel Carvajal Zaldivar, known artistically as El Taiger, is in the intensive care unit after he was found in a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head, the Miami Police Department reported.

The 41-year-old man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit.

According to witnesses interviewed by the Telemundo network, the incident occurred on Thursday, October 3, near this hospital in the Allapattah district. Authorities reported that the reggaeton artist was found seriously injured in a black Mercedes-Benz SUV.

The tragic incident comes at a difficult time in the singer's life as he faces criminal charges for possession of controlled substances in Miami-Dade County.

El Taiger's problems

The Cuban singer, known for songs like “Coronamos,” “Invictos,” and “Hear Me,” made a name for himself in the music industry at a young age. He began his career in 2006 with the group Los 4 and later became part of the duo Los Desiguales. He revolutionized the urban music scene in Cuba by introducing the Fashaton style – a mix of reggaeton with a fashion-oriented approach that became a trend on the island.

However, his career was not without controversy. El Taiger had several run-ins with the law in Miami. He was last arrested in July 2024 for armed robbery and drug possession. It is also known that the artist struggled with addiction problems, which further complicated his legal and personal situation.

In addition to the recent charges, he has previously been arrested for shoplifting and other minor incidents.