Former gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis has been found guilty of orchestrating the 1996 murder of American rapper Tupac Shakur, bringing a nearly three-decade-old high-profile cold case to its first conviction.
A Las Vegas jury convicted the 63-year-old on one count of murder with a deadly weapon over the drive-by shooting that claimed Shakur’s life on September 7, 1996.
Davis, who appeared impassive as the verdict was read, has indicated that he intends to appeal the conviction. His sentencing has been scheduled for October 13.
Shakur, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, was 25 when he was shot in Las Vegas. He later died from his injuries, with his death becoming one of the most enduring unsolved murders in music history.
Prosecutors argued that Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, was the mastermind behind the shooting. Although he did not allegedly fire the weapon himself, prosecutors said he ordered the attack and provided the gun used by his nephew, Orlando Anderson.
According to the prosecution, the shooting was motivated by revenge after Anderson was involved in a confrontation with Shakur and members of the rapper’s entourage earlier that night.
A major part of the prosecution’s case was based on Davis’ own statements about his involvement. He had acknowledged being inside the white Cadillac from which the shots were fired and later discussed the incident publicly.
Davis reportedly spoke about his role during a 2008 police interview conducted in connection with the investigation into the murder of fellow rapper The Notorious B.I.G., whose real name was Christopher Wallace.
He later provided further accounts in his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend, as well as in documentaries, podcasts and media interviews.
Prosecutors argued that Davis’ repeated statements amounted to admissions of responsibility. In his closing argument, prosecutor Binu Palal described Davis as the “shot caller” who was in the vehicle when the shooting occurred.
The defence, however, maintained that Davis’ accounts were exaggerated or fabricated to generate publicity and make money from his memoir and media appearances.
Defence lawyer Michael Sanft urged jurors to regard Davis as an unreliable storyteller and argued that there was insufficient evidence linking him directly to the murder.
The jury nevertheless reached a guilty verdict within hours of receiving the case.
The verdict prompted an emotional reaction in court, with members of Shakur’s family holding hands, hugging and crying. Outside the courthouse, some of the rapper’s longtime fans were also seen celebrating and shedding tears.
Shakur’s murder occurred during a period of intense rivalry between the East Coast and West Coast hip-hop scenes, alongside longstanding tensions between the Bloods and Crips street gangs.
His death has since generated numerous theories and speculation, but no one had previously been convicted in connection with the killing.
Following the verdict, Davis asked the court for some of his personal belongings and told Judge Carli Kierny that he wanted to appeal the decision.
The judge explained that an appeal could be pursued after sentencing.
The conviction marks a major development in one of the most closely followed murder cases in music history and could finally bring a measure of legal closure to the case surrounding Tupac Shakur’s death.
