In the ongoing trial for the 2017 murder of Mark Saldivar, Tay-K’s ex-girlfriend, Joanna Reyes, has identified the rapper as the shooter. Reyes, who was once in a relationship with the controversial artist, herself faced accusations related to the murder. She was allegedly the driver involved in the shooting but has since turned government witness, accepting a plea deal on a lesser charge of tampering with evidence.
During her testimony, Reyes revealed that she had arranged a photoshoot with Saldivar, Tay-K, and two others, Jalen Bell and Jeremiah Rodriguez, on the day of the incident. According to Reyes, the events quickly took a violent turn when Tay-K allegedly pulled a gun on Saldivar, demanding his backpack. When Saldivar refused, the group reportedly began assaulting him.
Reyes described how Saldivar attempted to flee by climbing onto the hood of the car. She stated that Tay-K then pointed the gun at her and ordered her to get Saldivar down. When she failed to do so, she testified that Tay-K leaned out of the car and shot Saldivar.
Reyes admitted that she did not report the incident right away, citing fear for her own safety and concerns that Tay-K had threatened both her and her family.
Tay-K, whose real name is Taymor McIntyre, initially gained fame with his 2017 hit single “The Race.” He was previously convicted in a separate 2016 murder case connected to a home invasion, receiving a 30-year sentence for aggravated robbery along with two additional 13-year sentences for other counts of robbery. These sentences are being served concurrently.
The murder of Saldivar occurred while Tay-K was on the run from authorities after cutting off his ankle monitor, violating house arrest. In 2023, the rapper, currently incarcerated, posted on social media asking the judge for a second chance, expressing frustration over his lengthy sentence.
“I really just need 1 chance @ adulthood,” 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… they woulda rightfully argued that my mind wasn’t fully developed and gave me rehabilitation and a 2nd (1st) chance at adulthood.”
Tay-K further pointed out the disparity between his sentence and that of a white female co-defendant, who, despite being 16 at the time, received 10 years of probation. “One of my co-defendants was a white girl who was 16 just like me… they didn’t certify her as an adult but they certified me and [another co-defendant] as adults. She ended up getting 10 years of probation without any deal… that girl is home right now.”
The trial continues, and the testimony by Reyes has added further complexity to Tay-K’s already contentious legal history.
