Thirty years after, murdered American rap artist, Tupac Shakur, gets justice as his murderers are brought to book
On Monday, August 31, 2026, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, was found guilty of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon in connection with the 1996 killing of rap legend Tupac Shakur.
But here is where the case gets interesting. Davis was not accused of being the person who pulled the trigger.
Prosecutors argued that he was the person who orchestrated the attack. According to the prosecution, the shooting was carried out as retaliation after Tupac and members of his entourage had earlier confronted and beaten Davis’ nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson.
The prosecution said Davis obtained the gun, gathered the group and helped organise the attack on Tupac. And the evidence against him included his own words.
Prosecutors relied heavily on statements Davis had made over the years, including interviews, recorded conversations with investigators and his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend. Davis, however, maintained that some of his statements were fabricated and that he was telling stories for money and attention.
Tupac was shot on September 7, 1996, in Las Vegas. He was only 25 years old at the time of his death.
But for nearly three decades, nobody had been convicted for his murder. The jury deliberated for less than three hours before finding Davis guilty.
Davis now faces a possible life sentence without the possibility of parole. His sentencing has been scheduled for October 13, 2026, and he has said he plans to appeal the conviction.
