Ex-Gang leader Keffe D found guilty in Tupac Shakur murder case

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a former Los Angeles-area gang leader, has been found guilty of orchestrating the 1996 murder of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur.

Tupac was fatally wounded in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996, following his attendance at a heavyweight boxing match involving Mike Tyson. He died six days later after being placed on life support.

Davis, 63, was arrested in September 2024 and faced a murder charge alleging the use of a deadly weapon in connection with gang activity. His trial, which began in a Las Vegas court in August, came nearly three decades after Tupac’s death.

Prosecutors argued that Davis had a strong motive for the killing because of an earlier confrontation involving his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, and Tupac. Prosecutor Binu Palal told jurors that Davis obtained a firearm and gave it to Anderson, who was alleged to have opened fire on Tupac’s vehicle.

Palal also argued that the case remained unsolved for years because of a culture of silence within gangs. According to the prosecution, Davis eventually became a key figure in the investigation because of comments he made in interviews and in a book about his alleged involvement.

After roughly three hours of deliberation on Monday, the jury returned a guilty verdict.

The 12-member jury found Davis guilty of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon, with the crime committed with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang.

“Count one, murder with use of a deadly weapon, guilty of first-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon,” the jury foreperson announced in court.

Davis, dressed in a black suit, stood beside his attorney as the verdict was delivered. He later returned to his seat and clasped his hands on the table.

He now faces a possible sentence of life in prison.

Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny has scheduled Davis’ sentencing for October 13.