Tay-K Sentenced to 80 Years for 2017 Murder of San Antonio Photographer

Rapper Taymor McIntyre, known by his stage name Tay-K, was sentenced to 80 years in prison on Tuesday for the 2017 murder of 23-year-old photographer Mark Anthony Saldivar. The sentencing, delivered by 187th District Court Judge Stephanie Boyd in Bexar County, followed a two-week trial that concluded with McIntyre being found guilty of murder, a lesser charge than the initial capital murder accusation.

The incident occurred in April 2017 in a Chick-fil-A parking lot near North Star Mall in San Antonio. Prosecutors stated that McIntyre, then 16, lured Saldivar under the pretense of a photoshoot for a new song, only to rob him of his camera equipment and fatally shoot him. McIntyre’s defense team criticized the police investigation, arguing it relied heavily on unreliable witness statements from others in the car at the time of the shooting. Despite these claims, the jury rejected the capital murder charge, which could have carried a life sentence without parole, opting instead for the murder conviction.

During the punishment phase, testimony focused on McIntyre’s troubled childhood, including experiences in foster care and exposure to drug abuse, with a forensic psychologist noting his brain was still developing at the time of the crime. However, the prosecution emphasized the severity of the act, with a representative for Saldivar’s family stating that McIntyre had stolen “dreams, ambitions, aspirations, and goals.” Judge Boyd addressed McIntyre directly, saying, “I do realize that while this is a lot of time, you’re still alive. You can still better yourself. But the complainant in this case is deceased, and you need to internalize that.”

McIntyre is already serving a 55-year sentence for a separate 2016 murder conviction in Tarrant County, where he was found guilty of participating in a home invasion that led to the death of 21-year-old Ethan Walker. Both sentences will run concurrently, meaning McIntyre faces no additional time beyond the 80-year term, but he is ineligible for parole.

McIntyre gained notoriety in 2017 with his song THE RACE, recorded while he was a fugitive after cutting off his ankle monitor. The track, which peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and amassed over 250 million YouTube views, featured lyrics detailing his criminal activities and included a music video showing him posing with his wanted poster. The song’s viral success amplified public and legal scrutiny of his case.

Posts on X reflected mixed sentiments about the sentencing. Some users expressed sympathy, citing McIntyre’s youth and systemic issues, while others stressed accountability, with one stating, “Actions have consequences, especially when you treat real life like a music video.” The case has sparked broader discussions about juvenile justice and the consequences of violent crime.

McIntyre’s legal troubles also include pending charges for allegedly assaulting and robbing a 65-year-old man in Arlington in 2017 and possessing prohibited substances in Bexar County Jail. His attorneys have indicated an appeal may be pursued.

This sentencing marks a significant chapter in the controversial career of Tay-K, whose music and legal battles have left a lasting impact on the Hip-hop community and beyond.