Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis Faces Trial in Connection to Tupac Shakur’s Murder

Opening statements are scheduled for Monday in the murder trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis. He stands accused of organizing the drive-by shooting that killed rap icon Tupac Shakur nearly 30 years ago. Prosecutors allege Davis planned the attack and supplied the gun after an altercation between Shakur and Davis’ nephew at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Although Davis did not fire the shot, Shakur was killed in an ambush at a stoplight on September 7, 1996. In Nevada, an individual can be convicted of murder for aiding in the crime.

Davis faces one count of murder with a deadly weapon, with the intent to advance a criminal gang. Much of the prosecution’s case is expected to rely on Davis’ 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend: Notorious Keffe D’s Street-Level Accounts of Tupac and Biggie Murders, Death Row Origins, Suge Knight, Puffy Combs, and Crooked Cops.” In wthe book, Davis recounts his involvement in Shakur’s murder and confirms he was in the car when the shooting occurred.

“Tupac made an erratic move and began to reach down beneath his seat,” Davis writes, claiming Shakur attempted to draw a weapon, which led to the shooting. “One of my guys from the back seat grabbed the Glock and started bustin’ back.” Authorities have stated no weapon was found in Shakur’s car.

Davis claims the conflict began after an encounter between Shakur, Knight, and his nephew, Orlando Anderson. Anderson had long been suspected as the shooter but died in 1998. Davis argues the altercation escalated tensions, specifically mentioning Shakur’s entourage crossing a line after attacking Anderson earlier that evening.

Witnesses expected to testify include Marion “Suge” Knight, currently serving a 28-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter, and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, who was an officer with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at the time. Former Death Row Records head of security Reggie Wright Jr. has also been subpoenaed, though he denies involvement. Sean “Diddy” Combs, previously implicated by Davis, will not be testifying, as he is serving time for unrelated offenses.