UPDATED 10/11, 2:29 p.m. ET: One week after being found with a gunshot wound to his head in the Miami area, Jose Manuel Carbajal Zadivar, better known as El Taiger, has died.
A statement shared to Instagram confirmed the news on Thursday, with his team expressing gratitude for all those around the world who had been “looking for a miracle” together in recent days.
“To all those who offered their prayers, we thank them,” an English translation of the statement reads. “Unfortunately, this afternoon, El Taiger was pronounced dead and now he has reunited with his beloved mother in heaven.”
The statement, available in full below, also passed along the family’s thanks to staff at the Jackson Memorial Hospital and devoted fans.
RIP.
See original story below.
Reggaeton singer El Taiger remains in critical condition after being shot in Miami, Florida on Thursday.
The Cuban star, born Jose Manuel Carbajal Zadivar, was found inside of a black Mercedes SUV in the third row of the car, People reports. Police were alerted of the incident shortly after 7 a.m. and removed the 37-year-old from the vehicle by pulling him out of the trunk.
ABC affiliate WPLG Local 10 also reported that two red gas containers were discovered on the roof of the SUV above the driver’s side back passenger seat.
Taiger was then rushed to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and was placed on life support due to significant damage to his brain, his rep Carlos Alfaro confirmed to NBC 6 Miami.
Mike Vega, a Miami PD spokesperson, also told the news station on Thursday that it has not been determined whether or not Taiger’s wound was self-inflicted and that there was no evidence that the shot was fired in the car.
"Our officers are investigating because we think this didn't happen in the city of Miami. We're sure that it didn't happen in that corner where the vehicle was found. This happened in another place; someone brought him here, left him and left on foot," said Vega in Spanish to NBC 6.
Taiger’s manager, Macel Reinosa, told CBS News Miami that the person of interest allegedly knew the singer and was the person who supposedly called 911.
"Nobody in the team believes that he committed suicide, based on what they are saying on the bullet," said Reinosa. "It was in the front of his head, so I would really doubt someone would shoot himself and then get on the back of the trunk by himself."
Although a person of interest has been interviewed by police, there are currently no suspects in custody. Police are continuing to gather evidence without disclosing specific details such as the owner of the SUV the singer was found in.
Court records also revealed that Taiger faced two criminal arrests following his arrest on July 28, per WPLG Local 10. He was charged with felony strong arm robbery and battery on July 29 and a misdemeanor for resisting an officer on July 30, pleading not guilty to both.
The felony case was closed on Aug. 19, and he was released on a $500 bond for the misdemeanor charge on Aug. 23. His next court hearing was scheduled for Oct. 9.