San Antonio, TX — Rapper Tay-K, born Taymor Travon McIntyre, has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for the 2017 murder of photographer Mark Anthony Saldivar. This marks the 24-year-old’s second murder conviction, adding to his existing 55-year sentence for a 2016 home invasion that resulted in the death of Ethan Walker.
Background of the Case
In April 2017, while on the run from authorities after cutting off his ankle monitor, McIntyre arranged a photoshoot with Saldivar in San Antonio. According to court documents, McIntyre attempted to rob Saldivar of his camera equipment during the meeting. The confrontation escalated, leading to Saldivar being shot and killed in the parking lot of a Chick-fil-A near North Star Mall .
Witnesses testified that Saldivar was pushed out of a vehicle and, in an attempt to retrieve his belongings, jumped onto the car’s hood. A man then exited the vehicle and shot him. While no witnesses directly identified McIntyre as the shooter, prosecutors argued he was the front-seat passenger who demanded Saldivar’s backpack.
The Trial and Sentencing
McIntyre’s trial began on April 1, 2025, in Bexar County. The jury found him guilty of murder but acquitted him of capital murder, which would have resulted in an automatic life sentence without parole. On April 14, he was sentenced to 80 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Previous Convictions and Notoriety
McIntyre first gained national attention in 2017 with his song “The Race,” recorded while he was a fugitive. The track detailed his run from the law and peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. In July 2019, he was convicted for his role in a 2016 home invasion in Mansfield, Texas, that led to the death of Ethan Walker. Although he did not pull the trigger, prosecutors held him responsible for planning and participating in the robbery. He received a 55-year sentence for murder and additional concurrent sentences for aggravated robbery.
Legal and Cultural Implications
The case has sparked discussions about the intersection of youth, crime, and fame. McIntyre was 16 at the time of the 2016 crime and 17 during the 2017 incident. His rapid rise to fame while evading law enforcement raised questions about the influence of media on public perception and the criminal justice system’s handling of juvenile offenders.
With the additional 80-year sentence, Tay-K faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. His case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of criminal behavior and the complex relationship between celebrity and accountability.
