Former gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been found guilty of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur, bringing a major development to one of the most closely watched cold cases in music history.
A Las Vegas jury convicted the 63-year-old Davis on one count of murder with a deadly weapon over Shakur’s death in a drive-by shooting on September 7, 1996.
Davis, dressed in a black suit, remained largely expressionless as the verdict was delivered on Monday. He later told the court that he intended to appeal the conviction.
Shakur was 25 when he was shot in Las Vegas at the height of his career. The rapper went on to sell more than 75 million records worldwide and became one of hip-hop’s most influential figures.
The conviction marks the first time someone has been found guilty in connection with Shakur’s killing, nearly three decades after the murder.
What Happened The Night Tupac Was Killed?
Prosecutors argued that Davis organised the shooting as retaliation after his nephew, Orlando Anderson, was involved in a confrontation with Shakur and members of his group in Las Vegas just hours before the rapper was killed.
Anderson, who was associated with the South Side Compton Crips, was identified by prosecutors as the person who allegedly fired the shots. He denied involvement in Shakur’s murder and died in an unrelated shooting in 1998.
Davis himself had previously acknowledged being inside the white Cadillac from which the shots were fired. However, he maintained that he did not personally fire the weapon.
During the trial, prosecutors relied heavily on statements Davis had made over the years about his involvement in the killing.
A recording of a 2008 police interview was presented to the court. The interview had originally been conducted as part of an investigation into the death of fellow rapper Notorious B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace.
Davis later discussed his role further in his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend, as well as in documentaries, podcasts and media interviews.
Prosecutor Binu Palal urged jurors to believe Davis’ own repeated accounts of his involvement.
“He’s the shot caller – in every instance in every iteration he’s the leader of the South Side Crips,” Palal told the jury.
“When you have the shot caller sitting shotgun when shots are fired, there’s no doubt he’s responsible.”
Defence Says Davis Was Making Up Stories
Davis’ lawyers argued that his public statements about Shakur’s murder were exaggerated stories designed to attract attention and generate money from his memoir and media appearances.
His lawyer, Michael Sanft, urged jurors to view Davis as an unreliable storyteller.
“There’s no proof,” he told the jury.
Despite the defence’s argument, jurors reached a guilty verdict within hours of receiving the case.
Emotional Reaction From Tupac’s Family And Fans
Shakur’s relatives became emotional as the verdict was announced, with some holding hands, hugging and crying.
His sister was seen embracing a prosecutor following the decision, while other members of the family sat nearby in tears.
Outside the courthouse, fans also reacted with a mixture of tears and celebration as news of the conviction spread.
For almost 30 years, Shakur’s murder remained one of the most famous unsolved killings in the United States. The case generated numerous theories and conspiracy claims but produced no conviction until Davis’ trial.
Davis Appeals Conviction
Shortly before the courtroom emptied, Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny scheduled Davis’ sentencing for October 13.
Davis also raised his hand during the proceedings and asked for some of his personal belongings, including his phone.
“I would like to appeal this matter.”
The judge explained that Davis could pursue an appeal after sentencing.
The conviction represents a major turning point in the long-running investigation into Tupac Shakur’s murder and closes a significant chapter in a case that has continued to captivate hip-hop fans around the world.
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