Tay-K, the rapper known for his breakout hit “The Race,” has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for the murder of photographer Mark Saldivar. The ruling was handed down on April 15, 2025, by a jury in San Antonio, Texas, who convicted the 24-year-old of murder but did not find him guilty of capital murder, which would have mandated a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
This latest sentence adds to Tay-K’s existing 55-year sentence for a separate murder, although it remains unclear whether he will serve the sentences concurrently or consecutively. Additionally, questions linger regarding his eligibility for parole in the future.
Tay-K, born Taymor McIntyre, has yet to respond to the sentencing or indicate whether he plans to appeal the decision. The murder of Saldivar occurred in 2017 while Tay-K was evading authorities after escaping house arrest.
During the trial, Tay-K was identified as the shooter by a witness and former girlfriend, Joanna Reyes. Reyes, who initially faced accusations of being the getaway driver, turned government witness and accepted a plea deal for a lesser charge of tampering with evidence.
Reyes testified that she had arranged a photoshoot with Saldivar, and during the encounter, Tay-K allegedly pulled a gun on the photographer, demanding his backpack. When Saldivar refused, the situation escalated into violence. Reyes recounted how Saldivar climbed onto the hood of the car in a desperate attempt to escape, and Tay-K then leaned out and shot him. “He opened the door and leaned out on one leg,” she told jurors. “He shot him.”
Reyes admitted that she initially refrained from reporting the shooting due to fear for her safety, claiming that Tay-K had threatened her and her family.
Tay-K’s legal troubles have been mounting since his rise to fame, which can be traced back to the viral success of “The Race” in 2017. He was previously convicted in a separate case involving a 2016 home invasion, resulting in a 30-year sentence for aggravated robbery, alongside two additional 13-year sentences for related charges. Those sentences are being served concurrently.
As Tay-K begins his lengthy prison sentence, the music industry reflects on the tragic trajectory of his career, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences that can arise from a life intertwined with violence and crime.
