Tupac Murder Conviction: Ex-Gang Leader Guilty

Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 63, has been convicted of the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. The verdict was delivered by a jury in Las Vegas after only three hours of deliberation on August 31, 2026. Davis was found guilty of murder with the use of a deadly weapon and could face life in prison. He has indicated his intention to appeal the decision. Shakur's family members were present for the announcement of the verdict.

The conviction concludes a significant chapter in the decades-old cold case. Shakur was killed at age 25 in a drive-by shooting in Paradise, Nevada, on September 7, 1996, less than a week after the shooting. The rapper was attending a boxing match in Las Vegas with associates when an altercation occurred with Orlando Anderson. Following this, Shakur's vehicle was targeted, and he sustained multiple gunshot wounds, succumbing to his injuries on September 13, 1996.

Davis, identified as an uncle to Anderson and a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips gang, was charged with first-degree murder in September 2023. Prosecutors alleged Davis orchestrated the shooting and provided the weapon. During the trial, excerpts from Davis's 2019 book, "Compton Street Legends," were presented, suggesting his involvement. The defense contended the book was fictional, while prosecutors argued Davis confessed to the crime. Sentencing is scheduled for October 13, 2026.