Tupac Shakur Murder Trial: What to Know About Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis Case

Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas, the only person ever charged in the case is now facing trial.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a former gang leader from Compton, California, is accused of orchestrating the September 1996 drive-by shooting that killed the legendary rapper. Davis has pleaded not guilty.

Tupac, whose real name was Tupac Amaru Shakur, was 25 when he was shot on September 7, 1996, while riding in a BMW driven by Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight. The shooting occurred shortly after a Mike Tyson boxing match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Prosecutors allege that the attack was carried out as retaliation after an earlier confrontation involving Davis’ nephew, Orlando Anderson, and members of Tupac’s group. Davis is accused of organizing the attack and supplying the gun, although prosecutors do not allege that he personally fired the fatal shots.

Anderson was one of four men allegedly inside the white Cadillac from which the shots were fired. He denied involvement in Tupac’s killing and was never charged. Anderson was killed in an unrelated shooting in 1998.

Why Is Keffe D on Trial Now?

The case remained unsolved for decades before investigators renewed their efforts. Davis’ own public statements became central to the investigation.

He discussed his alleged involvement in interviews and later described the events in his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend. Prosecutors argue that these statements provide important evidence connecting him to the killing. Davis’ defense, however, argues that his claims were exaggerated or fictionalized for publicity and book sales.

Police arrested Davis in 2023 after a grand jury indicted him on a murder charge.

What Happens Next?

A 16-member jury has been selected, and opening statements are scheduled for Monday, August 17. The trial is expected to last roughly a month, with prosecutors planning to call dozens of witnesses.

Suge Knight, who survived the shooting, could potentially feature in the case, although he has indicated that he does not want to testify.

If convicted, Davis could face life in prison without parole.

The trial represents the latest chapter in one of hip-hop’s most enduring mysteries. Tupac’s death became intertwined with the intense East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry of the 1990s, and questions surrounding who ordered and carried out the shooting have remained the subject of speculation for decades.