Tupac Shakur murderer convicted nearly 30 years after rapper’s death

Nearly three decades after Tupac Shakur was gunned down in Las Vegas, a jury has convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis for orchestrating the murder of the legendary rapper.

Davis, 63, was found guilty of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon following a trial that lasted about two weeks. The jury deliberated for roughly three hours before returning its verdict.

Prosecutors argued that Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, organised the September 7, 1996, shooting in retaliation for an earlier confrontation involving his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson. Shakur and members of his entourage had been involved in a fight with Anderson at the MGM Grand earlier that night.

Although Davis was not accused of firing the fatal shots, prosecutors said he helped organise the attack, supplied the firearm and directed those involved. Under Nevada law, a person who orchestrates a murder can be held criminally responsible for the killing.

Shakur was shot several times while travelling in a BMW with Death Row Records boss Marion “Suge” Knight. The 25-year-old rapper died in hospital six days later.

The case remained unsolved for years, becoming one of the most famous mysteries in music history. Investigators eventually focused on Davis after he made statements about the shooting in interviews and his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend.

Davis faces a possible life sentence and has indicated that he intends to appeal. His sentencing is scheduled for October 13.