Keefe D news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
A Las Vegas jury convicted Duane 'Keffe D' Davis of murder in Tupac Shakur's 1996 killing. The verdict ends a 30-year mystery, marking the first conviction in the case.
Background
Tupac Shakur, a hip-hop icon, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in September 1996. The case remained unsolved for decades, with numerous conspiracy theories. Duane Davis, a former gang leader, was arrested in 2023 after his 2019 memoir detailed his involvement. The trial concluded with a guilty verdict, bringing closure to a case that has captivated the public for years.
How it unfolded
- Sep 7, 1996Tupac Shakur is shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; he dies days later.
- 2019Duane Davis publishes a memoir describing his involvement in the killing, which prosecutors later use as key evidence.
- Sep 2023Davis is arrested and charged with murder in connection with Shakur's death.
- Aug 2026Trial takes place; prosecutors present evidence including Davis's own statements and testimony from witnesses.
- Aug 31, 2026A Las Vegas jury finds Davis guilty of first-degree murder, marking the first conviction in the case.
Who’s saying what
- Prosecution
- Davis was the 'on-the-ground, on-site commander' of the effort to kill Tupac, seeking revenge for an attack on his nephew.
- Defense
- Davis's memoir was exaggerated to 'falsely place him at the center of it all for personal gain,' and his admissions were 'tall tales.'
- Family
- Shakur's cousin said, 'We've been waiting 30 years to grieve properly,' expressing relief at the conviction.
Still unverified
A retired detective claimed he was ready to arrest Davis in 2009 but was blocked, an allegation not confirmed by official sources.