Nearly 30 years after the death of Tupac Shakur, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, former Compton gang leader Duane “Keffe D” Davis was found guilty of orchestrating his murder. Davis’ conviction marks the first in a case that has gone unsolved for decades.
Davis was convicted on Monday of first-degree murder by a Las Vegas jury and faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In his closing argument, Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal accused Davis of organizing the Sept. 7, 1996, shooting as “gang retaliation” for a beating that took place about two hours earlier inside the MGM Grand casino. Davis, he alleged, had confessed his own role in the killing in a “secret 2008 interview” with authorities, later public statements, and his 2019 memoir, Compton Street Legend.
Shakur’s family released a statement following the verdict. “Above all, we honor Afeni Shakur — a mother whose strength and unshakable belief in her son’s truth carried this fight long before any of us knew where it would lead,” read the post shared on social media by Shakur’s sister Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur. “The family of Tupac Amaru Shakur is elated and relieved by today’s verdict. We would like to thank the jury for thoughtfully fulfilling their duty and carefully listening to all the evidence.”
The statement continued, “Our deepest appreciation goes out to our family, friends, loved ones and all of Tupac’s fans, who have always provided their love and support. We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to the marshals and advocates who supported and protected us throughout this process. Your steady presence and care did not go unnoticed, and we are forever grateful.”
The family’s message added that “this is not the end of the story” and said the rapper’s “legacy and impact on the world lives on and we will continue to do everything we can to keep his spirit alive.”
Shortly after hearing the verdict on Monday, Sekyiwa, embraced a man seated behind her and wiped her eyes with a tissue, according to a live feed of the proceeding from The Associated Press.
Friends and family members of Tupac Shakur, including his sister Sekyiwa Shakur, hug Chief Deputy District Attorneys Binu Palal after Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis was found guilty in the rapper’s 1996 killing.
Bizuayehu Tesfaye/POOL/AFP/Getty Images
In June 2023, Shakur received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sekyiwa, who is the president and CEO of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, accepted the award in her brother’s honor and told the crowd, “Today we’re not just honoring a star in the ground, but we’re honoring the work and the passion that he’s put into making his dreams come true. His heavenly star will shine a little brighter today. And once again, he has made us all extremely proud. We love you, Tupac.”
