A Former Gang Leader Indicted for Murder of Tupac Shakur
A former gang leader, who is one of the last witnesses to the murder of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur, has been accused of murder on Friday.
Indictment and Admissions
Nevada grand jury indicted Duane “Keffe D” Davis on one count of murder with a deadly weapon, according to Clark County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mark DiGiacomo. Davis had long been known to investigators and had made his own admission in interviews and in his 2019 memoir, “Compton Street Legend,” about the shooting incident in September 1996.
The Leader and the Shooter
Davis was described as the “on-site commander” who commanded the death of Tupac Shakur, and he was identified as both the leader and the shooter by Homicide Lieutenant Jason Johansson.
Seeking Justice
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated that the family of Tupac Shakur had been waiting for justice for 27 years. He emphasized the importance of solving the murder case and dispelled any doubts about the police department’s commitment to the investigation.
Arrest and Raid
Davis, age 60, was arrested near his home in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson. Prior to his arrest, Las Vegas police raided Davis’ home in mid-July, searching for items related to the murder of Tupac Shakur. The raid resulted in the seizure of various items, including computers, cell phones, photographs, and Davis’ memoirs.
Justice Delayed
District Attorney Steve Wolfson acknowledged the delay in achieving justice but asserted that justice would not be denied. The evidence in the case was presented to a grand jury over several months.
No Bail and Legal Representation
Clark County Judge Jerry Weese denied bail for Davis. It is not immediately clear if Davis has legal representation to comment on his behalf, as he has not responded to phone messages and text messages since the house raid. Messages left for his wife, Paula Clemons, have also gone unanswered.
The Shooting and Tupac’s Legacy
Tupac Shakur was fatally shot on September 7, 1996, while in a BMW convoy near the Las Vegas Strip. His death came shortly after the release of his fourth solo album, “All Eyez on Me,” which achieved significant commercial success and earned Grammy nominations. Davis claimed to have been in the front passenger seat of the Cadillac and implicated his nephew, Orlando “Baby Lynn” Anderson, as one of the individuals in the rear seat. Anderson, who was involved in a casino brawl with Shakur, denied any involvement in the rapper’s death.
Investigation and Conspirators
The investigation into Shakur’s murder was reignited after Davis broke his silence during a meeting with authorities in 2010. Davis revealed details about the killing of Tupac and also the fatal shooting of Biggie Smalls, another prominent rapper at the time. Davis alleged that law enforcement offered him leniency in exchange for information. Greg Kading, a retired Los Angeles Police detective who investigated Shakur’s killing, expressed his lack of surprise at Davis’ arrest and stated that he considered the investigation to be over after Davis’ public admissions.
