For decades, the death of Tupac Shakur has been unresolved. Now, the man charged with his death finally goes on trial

The mystery surrounding the 1996 killing of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur might finally see some resolution. Now, a case is finally heading to court as the man charged in the case prepares for trial. This development marks a significant step in one of the most high-profile unsolved murders in the United States. One that has haunted the music industry for thirty years.

According to the Associated Press, Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, stands accused of murder with a deadly weapon. The charges specifically allege the act was committed with the intent to promote, further, or assist a criminal gang. Jury selection begins Monday in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas, where Judge Carli Kierny will preside over the proceedings. The Guardian noted that the trial is expected to span approximately one month.

Shakur, also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was shot on September 7, 1996, in Las Vegas. He was in a black BMW with music mogul Marion “Suge” Knight, heading toward Club 662 for a scheduled performance, when a white Cadillac pulled alongside them. Gunfire erupted from the vehicle, and Shakur, who was in the passenger seat, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He died six days later at the age of 25.

New information emerged in 2023

The case remained cold for decades. Then, it was reportedly revived following public statements and a tell-all memoir from Davis, who was a leader of the South Side Compton Crips at the time. Davis was arrested in 2023 and entered a plea of not guilty. During a March 2025 interview, Davis told ABC News, “I’m innocent. I ain’t killed nobody. Never did ever kill nobody. They don’t have no evidence against me. They can’t even put me in Las Vegas.”

Prosecutors aren’t arguing that Davis pulled the trigger. Instead, they aim to prove that he orchestrated the killing in retaliation for an assault on his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, earlier that night at the MGM Grand. 

Per CNN, the prosecution contends that Davis provided the gun used in the drive-by shooting. Despite his statements to ABC, Davis’s memoir and statements place him in the white Cadillac following a Mike Tyson match in Vegas. However, everyone else mentioned as being in the Cadillac that night has since passed away. Thus, the trial is unlikely to definitively confirm who fired the fatal shots.

Per the outlets, the trial will delve into the rivalry between Death Row Records, founded by Knight, and Bad Boy Records, created by Sean “Diddy” Combs. Prosecutors suggest that Death Row was protected by the Mob Piru gang, while the Crips, led by Davis, served as bodyguards for Bad Boy Records. In fact, two years ago, Shakur’s family began exploring Diddy’s connection with his murder.

The atmosphere of this era was reportedly violent. From 1993, Tupac faced a lot of legal trouble with allegations that ranged from shooting police to sexual abuse. However, per CNN, deals he cut with Death Row also dropped him in Los Angeles gang turf battles, which were deeply interwoven with the rap game. 

Former MTV journalist Abbie Kearse, who interviewed Shakur in 1994, described him during this era. “He was working through his trauma with his art, his music, his poetry,” Kearse told CNN, “and yes, the anger comes out in real life, too, through violence.”

AP News reported that the witness list for the trial is extensive. Prosecutors expect to call between 35 and 45 people. This list ranges from individuals who were in the orbit of both Shakur and Davis at the time, like Shakur’s family and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, to former police officers and gang experts. 

A major question is whether Suge Knight, who is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence in California, will testify. As the only other living eyewitness from the vehicles involved, his testimony could be pivotal. However, per AP News, Knight has previously stated he would not testify in the case. Meanwhile, Davis’s defense team is expected to call a limited number of witnesses, including an expert in coercive interrogation and false confession techniques.

The Guardian noted that the memoir “Compton Street Legends,” co-authored by Davis, has become a central piece of evidence. In the book, Davis describes his role in the shooting and alleges that he provided the gun. However, Davis has since claimed the book was a work of fiction inflated by his co-author to drive sales. “I just gave him details of my life,” Davis said. “And he went and did his little investigation and wrote the book on his own.”

As the trial begins, the public will reportedly have limited access to the courtroom, with a daily lottery held for seats. A live feed will be available in a secondary room on the second floor of the court.