Rapper Tay-K Sentenced to 80 Years for 2017 Murder, Adding to 55-Year Sentence

On April 15, 2025, Taymor Travon McIntyre, known by his stage name Tay-K, was sentenced to 80 years in prison for the 2017 murder of 23-year-old Mark Anthony Saldivar in San Antonio, Texas. This sentencing comes as the 24-year-old rapper is already serving a 55-year sentence for his role in a 2016 home invasion robbery in Mansfield, Texas, that resulted in the death of 21-year-old Ethan Walker. The latest conviction significantly extends McIntyre’s time behind bars, effectively amounting to a life sentence without parole for the 2017 murder charge.

Background and Rise to Fame

Tay-K, born June 16, 2000, gained national attention with his 2017 single “The Race,” which peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song, released the same day McIntyre was arrested in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on June 30, 2017, detailed his life on the run from authorities after cutting off his ankle monitor while on house arrest for the 2016 Mansfield case. The music video, featuring McIntyre posing in front of his own wanted poster, went viral, amplifying his notoriety. His debut album, Santana World (2017), released while he was detained, entered the Billboard 200 and received positive critical reception.

McIntyre’s legal troubles began early. Raised in California, Nevada, and later the Dallas–Fort Worth area, he dropped out of high school and joined the rap group Daytona Boyz in 2014. His criminal activities escalated in 2016, leading to his involvement in multiple high-profile cases.

The 2016 Mansfield Home Invasion and 55-Year Sentence

In July 2016, McIntyre, then 16, was among seven individuals arrested for a home invasion in Mansfield, Texas, targeting drugs and money. The botched robbery ended with Ethan Walker fatally shot and another individual, Zachary Beloate, wounded. Although McIntyre did not pull the trigger—his role was to locate drugs to steal—he was charged with capital murder. In March 2017, days before a certification hearing to determine if he would be tried as an adult, McIntyre cut off his ankle monitor and fled, prompting a nationwide manhunt.

During his three months on the run, McIntyre recorded and released “The Race,” with lyrics that prosecutors later used as evidence of his lack of remorse. Lines like “F— a beat, I was tryna beat a case / But I ain’t beat that case, bitch I did the race” and references to criminal activity were cited in court. He was captured in New Jersey and, in July 2019, a Tarrant County jury found him guilty of murder and three counts of aggravated robbery. He was sentenced to 55 years for murder, 30 years for one count of aggravated robbery, and 13 years each for two additional aggravated robbery counts, with all sentences running concurrently. He was also fined $21,000. McIntyre must serve at least half of the 55-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole, projected for January 23, 2047.

The 2017 San Antonio Murder and 80-Year Sentence

While on the run in 2017, McIntyre was implicated in the murder of Mark Anthony Saldivar, a photographer, in San Antonio. On April 23, 2017, Saldivar was lured to a Chick-fil-A parking lot near North Star Mall under the pretense of a photoshoot. Prosecutors alleged that McIntyre and others robbed Saldivar of his camera equipment at gunpoint, and during an altercation, Saldivar was fatally shot. McIntyre was indicted for capital murder in November 2019, and after rejecting a plea deal in February 2024, he opted to take the case to trial.

The trial began in April 2025 in Bexar County’s 187th District Court. On April 14, after eight hours of deliberation, a jury found McIntyre guilty of murder, a lesser charge than capital murder, which would have carried an automatic life sentence without parole. Witnesses could not definitively identify McIntyre as the shooter, contributing to the lesser conviction. On April 15, Judge Stephanie Boyd sentenced him to 80 years in prison, with no possibility of parole. During the sentencing, Saldivar’s family and McIntyre’s sister, Kayla Beverly, testified. Beverly described their abusive childhood, including time in foster care and a drug-addicted mother, arguing for leniency. Judge Boyd acknowledged McIntyre’s difficult upbringing but emphasized the finality of Saldivar’s death, stating, “The complainant in this case is deceased, and you need to internalize that.”

Additional Charges and Controversies

McIntyre faces further legal challenges. In May 2017, he allegedly assaulted and robbed 65-year-old Owney “Skip” Pepe in Arlington, Texas, holding a gun to Pepe’s head and knocking him unconscious. Pepe later identified McIntyre in a photo lineup. McIntyre also faces three counts of possessing prohibited substances in a correctional facility while detained in Bexar County. These cases remain pending.

McIntyre’s legal team and supporters have argued that his sentences are disproportionately harsh, citing his youth at the time of the crimes and systemic racial bias. In January 2023, McIntyre posted on social media, claiming that a white female co-defendant in the 2016 case received only 10 years of probation, while he and another Black co-defendant, Jalen Bell, received 55 and 30 years, respectively. He wrote, “I bet if I was a lil white kid they wouldn’t have gave me no 55 years for a crime I was alleged to play the most insignificant role in when I was 16.” These claims sparked mixed reactions online, with some agreeing on racial disparities and others arguing that his actions, including glorifying his crimes in “The Race,” justified the sentences.

Impact and Public Reaction

McIntyre’s case has drawn significant attention due to his music career and the use of his lyrics as evidence. Prosecutors highlighted the cover of his 2017 EP #LivingLikeLarry, showing him with a gun, and lyrics from “The Race” to argue his lack of remorse. Ethan Walker’s father, Richard, testified in 2019, stating, “Every lyric to ‘The Race’ is stained with my son’s blood. Every ‘free Tay-K’ T-shirt that was ever sold has my son’s blood on it.” The use of rap lyrics in court has sparked debates about artistic expression versus criminal evidence.

Posts on X reflect divided sentiments. Some users view the 80-year sentence as just, with one stating, “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time. Sucks, but that’s the prize the game can award you.” Others highlight the severity, noting that the combined 135 years (55 plus 80) is “basically a life sentence no parole.”

Current Status and Future

McIntyre is currently incarcerated at Bexar County Adult Detention Center, serving his sentences. The 80-year sentence for Saldivar’s murder, which carries no parole eligibility, ensures he will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, barring successful appeals. His appeal for the 2019 conviction is ongoing, and trials for the Pepe assault and contraband charges are pending. In a 2023 letter to fans, McIntyre expressed regret, stating, “I love my fans and I don’t want any 1 to think I’m promoting or really recommending violence.” He has also sought new legal representation to challenge his sentences.

Tay-K’s story is a stark intersection of music, crime, and the justice system. His viral fame, fueled by “The Race,” contrasts with the tragic outcomes of his actions, leaving two families grieving and a young artist facing decades in prison. As his legal battles continue, the case remains a point of contention, raising questions about youth, race, and accountability in the American legal system.