Man accused of Tupac Shakur murder begins trial in Las Vegas

Las Vegas prosecutors will begin the trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, on Monday, marking the first courtroom appearance in the long‑standing murder case of rap icon Tupac Shakur. Shakur was shot and killed in a drive‑by shooting on September 7, 1996, an incident that has remained one of the United States’ most high‑profile unsolved homicides. Davis, a former associate of the late rapper, was indicted in 2023 and now faces a single count of murder with a deadly weapon, charged with intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in the killing.

The Nevada case centers on prosecutors’ assertion that Davis acted on behalf of a gang to eliminate Shakur, a claim that will be examined through forensic evidence, witness testimony and alleged gang affiliations. If convicted, Davis could face a life sentence under Nevada’s statutes for gang‑related homicide. The trial, held in Las Vegas, is expected to draw significant public and media attention given the cultural impact of Shakur’s death and the decades‑long quest for accountability.