Man Charged With Tupac Shakur's Murder After 27 Years

More than 27 years after iconic rapper Tupac Shakur was killed, Nevada police have arrested the first person known to be directly connected to the murder.

As reported by the Associated Press, Duane “Keffe D” Davis was detained by officers last Friday (September 29), the same day a grand jury indicted him for Shakur’s murder. Shakur died after being shot four times on the night of September 7, 1996, during a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas strip. Davis had long boasted about his involvement in the episode, claiming in his 2019 memoir Compton Street Legend that he was in the Cadillac with Shakur’s killer when it happened, and provided the gun used.

According to AP, authorities described Davis as the “shot caller” of the group responsible for Shakur’s murder, although they do not believe he was the gunman. In a statement published by the news agency, Jason Johansson (a homicide lieutenant with the Las Vegas police) said, “Duane Davis was the shot caller for this group of individuals that committed this crime and he orchestrated the plan that was carried out.”

Investigators had been aware of Davis’ involvement in Shakur’s murder for some time, listing him as one of four early suspects. The investigation was reportedly reopened because of Davis’ own admission to being involved, and a warrant for his arrest was issued in July after cops searched his home. He was ultimately indicted on one count of murder with use of a deadly weapon (as noted by AP, accomplices to a murder can be charged for the crime itself) as well as intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang.

Davis is due to appear in court this week. If convicted, he could face an extended sentence of up to 20 years longer than his charges would call for, on account of a sentencing enhancement added by vote of the grand jury.

In a statement issued on Friday, Shakur’s sister Sekyiwa (aka Set) called the arrest and indictment “a pivotal moment” in her search for justice. She said: “The silence of the past 27 years surrounding this case has spoken loudly in our community. It’s important to me that the world, the country, the justice system, and our people acknowledge the gravity of the passing of this man, my brother, my mother’s son, my father’s son.”

Also speaking out was retired Los Angeles detective Greg Kading, who spent years working on the investigation into Shakur’s murder. He said Davis “put himself squarely in the middle of the conspiracy”, which gave Vegas police “the ammunition and leverage to move forward”. He added: “All the other direct conspirators or participants are all dead. Keefe D is the last man standing among the individuals that conspired to kill Tupac.”