A Nevada jury on Monday convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon in the 1996 drive-by killing of rap legend Tupac Shakur.
Davis, 63, now faces the possibility of life behind bars, becoming the first person ever convicted in the nearly three-decade-old Tupac Shakur murder case, The Associated Press reported.
The verdict came after jurors deliberated for roughly three hours following closing arguments in the high-profile Las Vegas trial.
Inside the courtroom, Shakur’s sister, Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur, broke down in tears as the decision was announced, while Davis’ son covered his face with one hand.
A Nevada jury convicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis of first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon in the 1996 drive-by shooting that killed rap icon Tupac Shakur. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
During closing arguments, prosecutor Binu Palal told jurors that Davis secured a gun and “went hunting” for Shakur and Marion “Suge” Knight after the pair attacked Davis’ nephew, according to The Associated Press.
Palal also argued that Davis repeatedly placed himself in the Cadillac from which the fatal shots were fired.
Duane Davis stands during a break in closing arguments in his murder trial connected to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, at Clark County District Court in the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Aug. 31, 2026. (Steve Marcus/Pool Photo via AP)
Meanwhile, defense attorney Michael Sanft argued that no evidence beyond Davis’ statements placed him in Las Vegas or inside the car.
The 16-member panel, including four alternates, heard nine days of testimony from 24 prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses.
Davis was ordered held without bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 13.
A 1996 photo of rapper Tupac Shakur (L) and Marion “Suge” Knight is displayed during the Duane Davis murder trial, related to the 1996 killing of the rapper, at Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Aug. 17, 2026. (STEVE MARCUS / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
A gunman in a white Cadillac opened fire on a BMW carrying Shakur and Knight on Sept. 7, 1996, on the Las Vegas Strip. Knight recovered from minor injuries.
Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later at 25 years old.


