Jury convicts Keffe D for 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur
A Las Vegas jury has convicted Duane 'Keffe D' Davis of orchestrating the 1996 murder of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur. The verdict concludes a decades-long investigation into the shooting that occurred in Las Vegas.
Why it matters
The conviction provides legal closure to one of the most high-profile cold cases in music history, which has remained a significant cultural touchstone for decades.
A jury found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, finally bringing a measure of resolution to a case that had gripped hip-hop fans and lingered in the public imagination for decades.
The 63-year-old Davis was convicted on Monday (August 31, 2026) of a single count of murder with a deadly weapon and could be sentenced to life in prison. The jury deliberated for less than 3 hours after a weekslong trial in Las Vegas.
After the verdict was read, Shakur's sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, cried and hugged the prosecutors. Davis' son covered his face with one hand.
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