Dwayne Davis & Tupac Shakur
Dwayne Davis Faces Charges in 1996 Murder of Tupac Shakur
US law enforcement has brought charges against a former gang leader in connection with the 1996 murder of the renowned rapper Tupac Shakur, marking a significant development in a longstanding case that continues to captivate the public.
Tupac Shakur, the iconic hip-hop legend born in New York, was tragically shot four times at the age of 25 in a drive-by attack that occurred in Las Vegas.
On Friday, a grand jury in Nevada indicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis, now 60 years old, on a single count of murder with a deadly weapon. According to police reports, Davis allegedly orchestrated the fatal shooting as retribution after his nephew had a confrontation with Shakur in a casino.
Davis was apprehended near his residence in Las Vegas early on Friday and is expected to appear in court in the coming days. The Las Vegas police department (LVMPD) has shared his mugshot with the public.
Greg Kading, a retired detective from the Los Angeles police force who dedicated years to investigating Shakur’s murder, expressed little surprise at Davis’ arrest. He remarked to the Associated Press that all other direct participants or conspirators in the crime have since passed away, making Mr. Davis “the last man standing” in the case.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Marc DiaGiacomo characterized Mr. Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips street gang, as the “on-ground, on-site commander” who allegedly “ordered the death” of Tupac Shakur.
At a subsequent news conference on Friday, Police Officer Jason Johansson discussed the force’s unwavering commitment to the investigation, stating that their persistence had finally borne fruit.
He also provided insight into the breakthrough, explaining that the feud between Orlando Anderson, Davis’s late nephew, and Shakur had escalated to a physical altercation in a casino shortly before the rapper was shot on September 7, 1996. Shakur succumbed to his injuries a few days later.
Officer Johansson presented security camera footage from the hotel, illustrating Anderson’s assault, which ultimately led to the retaliatory shooting of Tupac Shakur as he waited in his car at a red traffic light.
The officer emphasized that it was evident early on that this was a gang-related crime, and the case had been revisited multiple times. However, it wasn’t until 2018, when new information came to light, that the case was reinvigorated.
During the same press conference, Sheriff Kevin McMahill, visibly moved, conveyed that “for 27 years, the family of Tupac Shakur has been waiting for justice.”
He dispelled any notion that the murder of Tupac Shakur was not a priority for the police department, asserting, “I’m here to tell you: that was simply not the case.” Sheriff McMahill underlined that the LVMPD’s goal had always been to hold those responsible for Tupac’s violent murder accountable.
Tupac Shakur, known by his stage name 2Pac, released his debut album in 1991, becoming one of the most celebrated figures in hip-hop. His untimely death has spurred numerous documentaries, and he achieved worldwide acclaim with hits like “California Love,” “All Eyez On Me,” and “Changes.”
Beyond music, he had a successful acting career with roles in films such as “Juice,” “Poetic Justice,” “Above The Rim,” “Gridlock’d,” and “Gang Related.”
In June of this year, the rapper was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.